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THE 

LIFE 

OF 

THOMAS STORY, 

CAREFULLY ABRIDGED: 



IN WHICH THI 



PRINCIPAL OCCURRENCES 



AND THE MOST INTERESTING 



REMARKS AND OBSERVATIONS 



ARE RETAINED. 



Br JOHN KENDALL^ 
PHILADELPHIA ^ 

IPRINTED 27 JOSEPH CRUKSHANK> 

1805. 



^^-^'l^ 

-'t^ 



"1 



I 



THE 

LIFE 

OF 

THOMAS STORY. 



THAT which I intend by the following work, is, 
to record the tender mercies and judgments of 
the Lord ; to relate my own experience of his dealings 
with me through the course of my life j and to v/rite 
a faithful journal of my travels and labours in the ser- 
vice of the gospel ; which I design for my ovv^n review, 
and likewise for the serious perusal of all those who 
may incline to inquire into things of this nature. 

I have solid evidence to believe, that the Lord in his 
great mercy and kindness, had an eye upon me for my 
good, even in my infancy, inclining my heart to seek 
after him in my tender years : from whence, I may 
reasonably conclude, arose that early inclination I had 
to solitude 5 where I sometimes had religious thoughts, 
and frequently read in the holy scriptures, v/hlch I 
ever loved, and still do, above all books > as or- 

thy, and m.ost profitable; especially the i\c,v testa- 
ment, in which I chiefly delighted. 

In this state my mind suffered many flowings and 
ebbings ; and as 1 grew up towards a young man, I 
found myself under great disadvantages in matters of 
religion, as I was then circumstanced y for my father 
intending me for the studv of the lav7, which being 

esteemed 



4 , LIFE OF 1686 

esteemed a genteel profession^ he first sent me to the 
fencing school^ as a fashionable and manly accomplish- 
ment. Here I became a considerable proficient in a 
short time, and obtained the chief vogue over all my 
neighbouring cotemporaries in that faculty, by which 
my mind v^as greatly drawiT out, and too much alien- 
ated from those beginnings of solidity which 1 had 
once known : and having acquired some skill also in 
musick, the exercise of that occasioned an acquaint- 
ance and society not profitable to religion ; though I 
w^as hitherto preserved from such things as are gene- 
rally accounted evils among mankind. 

After this I was put to the study of the law, under 
a counsellor in the country, thereby to be initiated, 
with a design to be entered afterwards into one of the. 
inns of court, and to make further progress, and finish 
tliere : but being much in the country, and the family 
sober and religious in their way, of the most moderate 
sort of Presbyterians, I had again the advantage of so- 
litude, and little com.pany, and that innocent ; so that 
my mind returned to its former state, and further 
search after truth. And though I had, at times, some 
youthful airs, yet, through secret grace, I was pre- 
served from gross evils, and gained respeCl from ail 
tlie family. 

During my abode with this counsel, I was several 
times v/ith him at London, where, by the fear of God, 
I was preserved from vice and evil company, (which 
much abounds in that great and populous city) though 
not without temptations, not otherwise to be resisted 
than by the secret influence of grace, which super- 
sedes them ; though it may not always b^ apprehended 
by such as are preserv^ed by it. 

And though I was educated in the way of the na- 
tional church of England, yet I had no aversion to any 
class professing the Christian name, but occasionally 
heard several sorts, and yet did not fully approve any 
ted in all things, as I came to consider them closely* 

At 



1687 THOMAS STORY. 5 

At one time I was at friends meeting on a v.'eek-day, 
at Broughton, in the county of Cumberland, where I 
applied my mind with as much diligence as I could, to 
examine what I could discerii in their way : but though 
I observed they were very grave, serious, and solid, in 
the tim^e of their worshipj^^ I could gather but little at 
that time, either from their manner or doflrine y only 
I took them to be an honest, innocent, well meaning 
sea. 

Towards the latter end of the year 1687, we came 
out of the country, and had chambers in the city of 
Carlisle. I continued in the national way of worships 
though by the Divine Grace, my understanding was 
still more and more cleared 5 and I was frequently 
concerned to inquire after the truth of re'igion. The 
' manner of our worship in the cathedral often put me 
in mind of the Popish religion and ceremonies, and 
made me conclude, that the way v/e were in retained 
abundance of the old reiicks : our prayers, postures^, 
songs, organs,, cringing and shows, appearing to be 
jit tie else than an abridgment of the Popish mass^, and 
the pomp and shovv^ attending it. And then I began 
to be very uneasy with it ^ and though I went there a 
little longer, yet I could not comply with several of 
the ceremonies 5 which being taken notice of, in a fa- 
miliar conference with an acquaintance of the same 
way, I asked a little pleasantly, What is that we wor-^ 
ship towards the east ? and why towards the altar 
more than any other place, at the saying of the creed ? 
The person replied, sure you are not so ignorant as 
you would make yourself seem. The scripture saith^ 
as the lightning cometh out of the east^ and shineth even 
unto the nvesty so shall also the coming of the Son of man 
be. And again, at the name of Jesus every knee shall 
lowy cf things in heaven and things in earthy and things 
under the earth, 

1; To the first I returned, that our Pagan ancestors 
were worshippers of tlie sun, and all the host of hea-^ 

A 2 ven r 



6 LIFE OF 168T 

ven ', and this looked very like a remain of that ; and 
could not be certainly grounded on that scripture^ 
which I cannot understand to signify any other, than 
the gradual manifestation of the pov/er and glory of 
Christ unto the world : but if he should literally come 
from the east, in an outward sense ; which, consider- 
ing the state of the earth, its revolutions, and relation 
to the sun and otlier planets, cannot be in the nature 
of things (that being west to one place, which is east to 
another) yet that coming would not excuse our super- 
stition, (if not idolatry) in the mean time, before he so 
come : though I grant, if he should so come, and we 
see him, then, and not till then, may we lawfully and 
reasonably worship towards the place, or imagmary 
place of his coming. 

And as to bowing at the name of Jesus, I under- 
stand it to be in the nature of a prediftion, that in the 
fulness of time all powers in heaven and earth shall 
be subjefted arid brought under the power of Christ, 
as the next verse imports, which is explanatory of the 
former, viz. that every tongue shall confess^ that Jesus 
Christ is Lord to the g!cry of God the Father : agreeing 
:iiso with what the Lord Jesus him.self saith. All poiver 
:s given to me in heaven and in earth. And therefore this 
bowing towards a cypher of the v/ords Jesus the Sa- 
viour painted upon a wall, whilst the heart and spirit 
of a man is not subjefted to the pov/er of his grace^ 
is but a mocking of Christ, a reiick of popery, and 
hath som_e shew of idolatry hi it, from which I thought 
all Protestants had been thoroughly reformed. 

This a little surprized my acquaintance at first, 
coming from one in whom so little of the work of re- 
ligion appeared outwardly •, but as I remained in the 
diversions of fencing, dancings musick, and other re- 
creations of the like sort, little nocice was further taken 
for a while. 

After this I happened to be at a christening (as we 
.alied it) of a relation's child y on which occasion I 

found 



1687 THOMAS STORY. T 

found my mind agitated in an unusual manner, and a 
secret aversion to that ceremony, which I perceived 
was not according to the holy scripture, for we have 
neither precept nor example there for tliat manner of 
praftice. And when the priest came to say the prayer, 
which is a part of the service on that occasion, a great 
fear and surprize came over my mind, so that I could 
not pay that regard to it as formerly v for, by way of 
introduclion and foundation to the work, the priest 
reads part of the tenth chapter of Mark's history of 
the gospel, where it is related, that the people hroiight 
young children to Christ that he should touch them ; that 
his disciples rebuked those that brought them^ but ivhen 
jesus saiu it he kuas much displeased^ and said unto theniy 
Sujfer the little childrefi to come unto me^ and forbid them: 
not ; for of such is the kingdo?n of God. Verily^ 1 say 
unto you^ ^whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God 
as a little child^ shall not enter therein. And he took 
them up in his arrns^ put his hands upon them^ and blessed- 
them. After this they prayed that God would give- 
his holy spirit to that infant 5 that she being: born 
again, and m.ad€ an heir of everlasting salvation^: 
through our Lord Jesus Christ, might continue the 
servant of God, and attain his promise, &c. And,, 
after sor/ie more cerem.ony, the priest said, we receive 
this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and 
do sign her with the sign of the cross, &c. Then 
tire priest, pretending to the company that the infant 
is, by that, regenerated and grafted into the body of 
Christ's church, exhorts them to prayer , the substance 
whereof was this 5 they thanked God that it had 
pleased him to regenerate that infant by his holy spirit, 
to receive her for his own child by adoption, and to 
incorporate her into his holy church, &c. 

Upon this r note, that the scripture there hath no 
relation at all to baptism •, much less to sprinkling, 
which is no baptism : for the people brought their 
children to the Lord Christ, not to be baptized, but 

that 



S LIFE OF 16B7 

that he might touch them ; and he answered the faith 
of the people accordingly, he blessed them, and de- 
clared their innocence and aptitude for the kingdom 
of God, without such baptism ; and did not baptize 
them : so that this scripture is inapplicable, and all the 
consequences drav/n from it, in this sense, null and 
chimerical. But they^ first praying that God, in their 
own invented way, would give his Holy Spirit to that 
child ; and that being taken for granted, as already 
done by that ceremony and prayer, they then receive 
the child into the congregation of Chrisfs flock (as 
they say) acknowledging that, by baptism, that cliild 
is regenerated, and grafted into the body of Christ's 
church ; and accordingly they make their address of 
thanks to God for doing it. 

After this ceremony was over, I privately asked the 
priest, whether he did believe that that ceremony, for 
which there is not any foundation in scripture, either 
for making little children the subjefts of baptismi, 
signing them, with the sign of the cress, proniising 
and vov\ang in their rames, believing and confessing 
in tlieir stead, sprinkling them only with water, &c. 
did really then, or at any time to come, regenerate 
those children r At which he only smiled, and said, 
no j but it being an established order in the church, 
the praftice could not be om.itted. Why then, said 
I, you do but mock God, in giving him thanks for 
that which you do not seriously believe he hath ef- 
fefted. And ihe sequel of things proves there is no 
^mch thing done by thofc means : for true baptism is 
iustification and sanftification, effefted by the Holy 
Spirit of Christ in the mxind •, and not by the applica- 
tion of any outward element, or external performance 
of any person whatsoever, under any qualification. 

Nevertheless I continued in the national way of 
worship, though by tl-.e divine grace, my understand- 
ing was f,till more and more cleared. 

About 



16S8 . THOMAS STORY. » 

About this time the power of king James the se- 
cond was at the height, and the face of affairs flatter- 
ing the Roman interest ; they became high in their 
expeftations and assurance •, and the Protestants more 
2nd more filled with rational apprehensions of impend- 
ing danger. A solid consideration of the doubtfulness 
of the issue, put me upon a more inward and close 
observation of persons and things than ever. And 
one day, at the assizes at Carlisle, dining at an inn 
with a mixed company, where happened to be two of 
our ministers of the church of England, a Popish gen- 
tleman moved a debate concerning tran substantiation ; 
pretending to prove, by scripture, that by virtue of 
certain words which their priests say over a piece of 
bread, or wafer, there is a substantial conversion of 
it into the real body of Christ ; the very same that was 
born of the Virgin Mary, crucified at Jerusalem, and. 
now glorified in heaven. 

The text of scripture he advanced to support this 
position, was : j^/id as they ivere eatings Jesus took 
bread and blessed it^ and, brake it^ and gave it to the dis^ 
cipleSy and said., Take^ eat^ this is my body. And his 
argument was only this^ that Christ, being the word 
of God, and the truth, v/hatever he said must be po- 
sitively and literally true ; and therefore there is a 
real change of the bread into the true and real body 
of Christ : and this being an ordinance of God to his 
ministers^ the same power is annexed to that ordi- 
nance ; since, at the same time, he commanded them 
to do the same, saying, This do in remembrance of 
me. 

Daring this uninterrupted discourse, my zeal was 
kindled, so that I could scarce contain it ; but being 
young, and dlifident of my own abilities, and pavin?* 
regard and preference to our two ministers present, 
and expe'£ting their appearance agr.inst so great an er- 
ror, and so opposite to the Protestant religion, I de- 
layed till it becam.e almost unseasonable to engage 

him. 



10 LIFE OF 1685 

him. But tliey minding their plates, and hanging 
down their heads, with their countenances veiled by 
their hats , and I seeing no sign of any answer from 
them to the Papist, I took him up upon the subjeft 
thus. 

" Sir, you of the church of Rome take these words 
<^ literally ; but we take the whole form of his speech 
«^ at that time, on that subjeft, to be figurative ; and 
*^ that these v/ords, This is my hcdy^ intended no more 
^* than, this bread is a symbol, or figure, or repre- 
<^ sentation, of my body, which shall shortly hereafter 
^* be broken for you : for v*^e ought not to divide the 
" sentence or speech of Christ, and take one part llte- 
<' rally, and another figuratively. And you may re- 
*' member that, at the same time, he also took the 
^f cup, saying. This cup is the Neio Testament^ in 7ny 
«^ bloody ivkich is shed for you : do you think that that 
<^ cup, whether of gold, silver, glass, or wood, was 
*^ the New Testament ? or cannot you see, that in this 
<« latter part of his speech, there is a double figure ? 
<« First, Metonymia^ suhjeEli pro adjufiBo^ the thing con- 
<^ taining for the thing contained ; and, secondly, the 
<^ wine in the cup exhibited under the word cup, as a 
<^ figure, or representation of his blood ; which was 
^^ not then actually, or literally shed, or his body 
" broken. And seeing he said, in the present tense, 
<* Jljis is my hod^ ivhlch is Irolcfi (not to be broken )yir 
*^ yoit ; and this cup is the New Testa me fit in my bloody 
^^ which is (not which shall hereafter be) shed for you : 
«^ you must either ov»m that Christ advanced a false 
«^ proposition, which you will not *, or that he spake 
^< figuratively in both sentences, which you cannot 
«<■ reasonably avoid. Besides, the words uttered by 
^^ Christ himself did not work that e{Fe£t you imagine ; 
«^ for no man can call a thing by any name, denoting 
^^ its existence, before it is that thing which it is call- 
" ed : (then taking up a plate) no man, for instance, can 
'^ truly and literally say, this is a plate, if it were not 

<^ a plate 



168B THOMAS STORY. 11 

<< a plate before. Then, by a parity of reason and 
** truth, Christ could not say, this bread is my body, 
^« if it were not his body before : therefore these 
*^ words made no alteration ; for if it was so before, 
<^ these words were only declarative of what was be- 
<^ fore, and not initiatory, or commensive, of a new 
*< being, which was not there before : and again, if 
♦^ ever these words had efFe£l:ed a transubstantiation, 
^* they would when Christ himself uttered them. 
*^ Consider then, that as soon as Christ began to speak 
«« these words. This is my body, the body of Christ, 
*^ born of the Virgin Mary, began to cease to be his 
*« body, and the bread began to convert into it ; and 
^* that, as soon as the words were finished, the body 
*< born of the Virgin, altogether ceased to be what it 
^^ was before ; and by a new v/ay of a corporeal trans- 
'< migration, insinuated itself into the bread ; which 
^^ by the same degrees that the body of Christ ceased 
*^ to be his body, commenced, proceeded, grew, and 
♦« became his body ; or else he had two bodies present 
*^ with his disciples at the same time ; and if they eat 
«* his body that evening, what body was that which 
*^ was crucified the next day ? And what blood then 
" shed, if the night before, the disciples had drank 
<^ the blood of Jesus in a proper and literal sense, and 
«^ without a figure ? And where now is that same 
*« cup ? if you have lost that, you have, in your own 
^^ sense, lost the New Testament, and all your share 
*^ therein. 

*^ Now, Sir, if you can persuade me, and this com- 
*^ pany, out of our senses and understandings, so as 
** that we may be able to believe against both, that a 
«« piece of bread is the body of Christ, and a cup 
^« of wine is his blood, then you may bid fair for 
*^ our conversion, or rather perversion to your re- 
*r ligion : but, till you can do that, you cannot rea- 
*^ sonably expefl we should embrace so great ab- 
^* surdities,'* 

Upon 



12 LIFE OF 1688 

Upon this, the Papist said, these were great myste- 
ries, and the subjeft copious and intricate, and could 
not, at that time, be fully prosecuted, but might be 
more largely discussed at some other more convenient 
opportunity. I replied, Then why did you move it ? 
Could you think we would all sit silent to hear you 
propagate such notions, and make no opposition ? 
And so the matter dropped. But though I had thus 
opposed him, he shev/ed more respect: to me after- 
wards than to any other of the company. 

I think proper, in this place, to recount some of 
the gracious dealings of the Lord with me, from my 
early days. I was not naturally addifted to much 
vice, or evil, and yet, through the conversation of 
rude boys at school, I had acquired some things by 
imitation, tending that way ^ but as I came to put 
them in pracSlice, by word or action, I found some- 
thing in myself, at such times, suddenly surprizing 
me with a sense of the evil, and making me ashamed 
when alone ; though what I had said or done, was 
not evil in the common account of such as I conversed 
with, or among men, in a common acceptation. And 
though I did not know, or consider, what this reprover 
was, yet it had so much influence and power with me, 
that I was much reformed thereby from those habits, 
which, in time, might have been foundations for 
greater evils •, or as stocks whereon to have engrafted 
a worse nature, to the bringing forth of a more plen- 
tiful crop of grosser vices. Nevertheless, as I grew 
up to maturity, I had many flowings and ebbings in 
my mind ; the common temptations among youth be- 
ing often and strongly presented : and though I was 
preserved from guilt, as in the sight of men, yet not 
so betcre the Lord ; who seeth in secret, and, at all 
times, beholdeth all the thoughts, desires, words, and 
aft'ens of the children of men, -in every age, and 
throughout the world. 

The 



1^^8 THOMAS STORY. 13 

The lust of the flesh, of the eye, and the pride of 
life, had their objecis presei.ted : the airs of youth 
were many and potent : strength, aftivity, and come- 
liness of person, were not a wanting, and had their 
share. Nor were netural endowments of mind, or 
competent acquirem^ents afar off; and the glory, ad- 
vancements artd preferments of the Vv^orld, spread as 
nets in my view, and the friendship thereof beginning 
to address me with flattering courtship. I wore a 
sword, which I well understood, and rode with fire 
arms also, of which I knew the use ; and yet I was 
not quarrelsom.e ; for though I emulated, I was not 
envious y but this rule, as a man, I formed to myseif, 
never to offend, or afn'ont any v/iliully, or with c'e- 
sign ; and if, inadvertently, I should happen to dis- 
oblige any, rather to acknowledge^ than m-c-intain, or 
vindicate a wrong thuig ; and rather to take ill beha- 
viour from others by the best handle, than be offend- 
ed, where no offence was vvilfully designed. But 
then I was determined to resent and punish an affront, 
or personal injury, when it v/as done in contempt, or 
with design : and yet I never met v/ith any, save once ; 
and then I kept to my own maxims Vv^ith success ; yet 
so as neither to wound, nor be wounded ; the good 
Providence of the Almighty being ever over m.e, and 
on my side, as well knov/ing my meaning in all my 
conduct. 

But in process of time, as these prevalent and po- 
tent motions of corruption and sin became stronger in 
me, so the Lord, in his great goodness and mercy, 
made manifest to my understandinor the nature and 
end of them ; and having a view of them in the true 
light, and the danger attending them, they became 
irksome, disagreeable, and exceeding heavy and op- 
pressive to my mind : and then the necessity of that 
great work of regeneration was deeply ip^pressed upon 
me •, but I had no experience or evidence of it wrought 
in me hitherto. This apprehension greatly surprized 

B me 



14? LIFE OF 1688 

me with fear, considering the great uncertainty of the 
continuance of the natural life ; and it began to put a 
secret stain upon the world, and all its glory, and all 
that I had to glory in i though I kept these thouglits 
within my own breast, not knowing of any soul to 
whom I could seriously and safely divulge them : and 
indeed none, for a considerable time, discerned my 
inward concern, by any outward appearance ; which 
I found afterwards had been much to my advantage 
and safety. 

It is admirable by what various steps the Lord is 
pleased to lead the soul of man out of this world, and 
the spirit of it, home to himself ! and yet I am apt to 
think, that, in his divine and unlimited wisdom, he 
does not take the same outward method and steps 
with every one, but varies the work of his Providence 
as their states and circumstances may best suit and 
bear. For, by an accident that befel me, I was fur- 
ther alarmed to consider my ways, the uncertainty of 
life, my present state, and latter end. 

It was this : Intending to go to a country church 
with an acquaintr.nce, as we were riding gently along, 
my horse stumbling, fell, and broke his neck, and lay 
so heavy upon my leg, that I could scarce draw it from 
under him ; yet I received no hurt ; but, as we stood 
by him a little, I had this consideration, that my ov/n 
life might have been ended by that occasion, and I did 
not find myself in a condition fit for heaven, having 
vet no evidence of that necessary qualification of re- 
generation ; which brought great heaviness over my 
mind ; which did not totally depart, till, through the 
infinite mercy of God, I was favoured with a further 
knowledge, and a better state. 

^ Hitherto I had known the grace of God in me only 
as a manifester of evil, and of sin ; a word of reproof, 
and a law condemning and judging those thoughts, 
desires, words, passions, affections, a£is and omis- 
sions, v/hich are seated in the first nature, and rooted 

in 



1688 THOMAS STORY. 15 

in the carnd mind : in v/hlcK the suggestions^ tempta- 
tions and influences of the €vil one, work and prevail. 
By which Divine Grace, I Vv^as, in some good degree, 
enlightened, reformed, and enabled to shun and for- 
bear all words and afts thus known to be evil, and 
moral righteousness restored in my mind, and thereby 
brought forth in me. I became then sequestered, 
\veaned, and alienated from all my former acquain- 
tance and company , their manners and conversation, 
though not vicious (for such 1 never liked) became 
burthensome, tedious^ and disagreeable ; for they had 
not the knowledge of God, nor such a conversation as 
I wanted. And yet I did not know the Divine Grace 
in its own nature, as it is in Christ •, not as a word of 
faith, sanftification, justification, consolation and re- 
demption j being yet alive in my own nature •, the Son 
of God not yet revealed in me ; nor I by the pov/er of 
his holy cross, yet m.ortified and slain ; being without 
the knowledge of the essential Truth, and in a state 
contrary to him, and unreconciled* But the Lord did 
not leave me there, but in his matchless mercy, fol- 
lowed me still by his holy admonitionsj and more and 
more inclined my mind to an earnest inquiry after 
himself, and his ov/n essential truth and word ; con- 
cerning whom I did not know of any in all the earth 
could teach me, the world being universally, as I 
judged by the general ways, and courses of men, of 
all forms and ranks, altogether ignorant of the Lord, 
knowing only some historical and traditional hints, 
concerning him, and of his doctrine and ways ; which 
having little or no eliecl or influence on the minds or 
conversations of m.en, it seemed but a dead knowledge, 
or image, and they dead whilst they yet lived, did not 
really and savingly believe in the true God, and Christ 
Jesus, of whomx they made profession and talked : so 
that I did not then know that the Lord had any people 
then in the world, owned, by his presence Vx^ith them, 
as his flock and family^ which reminds me of that 

saying 



16 LIFE OF leS^ 

saying of the Lord, Nevertheless when the Son of Man 
comet h, shall he jind faith on the earth ? 

Being truly earnest with God, thirsting unto death 
for the knowledge of the way of life, he was pleased 
to hear the voice of my necessity ; for I wanted pre- 
sent salvation, and the Lord knew my case could not 
admit of further delay : And therefore being moved 
by his own free mercy and goodness, even in the same 
love in which he sent his Son, the beloved into the 
world, to seek and save the lost, on the first day of 
the second months, 1689, in the evening, being alone 
in my chamber, the Lord brake in upon me unexpedl- 
edly ; quick as lightning from the heavens, and as a 
righteous, all powerful, all knowing, and sin-con- 
demning judge ; before whom my soul, as m the 
deepest agony, trembled, was confounded, and amazed, 
and filled with such awful dread, as no M'ords can 
reach, or declare. 

My m.ind seemed separated from my body, plunged 
in utter darkness, and towards the north, or place of 
the north star. And being in perfe£l despair of re- 
turning any more, eternal condemnation appeared to 
surround and inclose me on every side, as in the cen- 
ter of the horrible pit \ never to see redemption thence, 
or the fc-ce of him in mercy, whom I had sought with 
all my soul. But, in the midst of this confusion and 
amazement, where no thought could be formed, or 
any idea retained, save grim, eternal, death possessing 
my Vv^hole man \ a voice was formed and uttered in 
me, as from the center of boundless darkness : " Thy 
" will, O God, be done \ if this be thy aft alone, and 
<^ not my own, I yield my soul to thee.** In the con- 
ceiving of these M'^ords, from the word of life, I quickly 
found relief : there was all-healing virtue in thern 5 
and the effeft so swift and powerful, that even in a 
moment all m.y fears vanished, as if they had never 
been, and my mxind became calm and still, and simple 
as a little child ; the day of the Lord davvuied, aiid 

the 



1689 THOMAS STORY. 17 

the Sun of righteousness arose in nie, with divine 
healings and restoring virtue in his countenance •, and 
he became the centre of my mind. 

In this wonderful operation of the Lord's power, 
denouncing judgment in tender mercy, and in the 
hour of my deepest concern and trial, I lost my old 
self, and came to the beginning of the knowledge oi 
him, the just and the holy one, w^hom my soul had 
longed for. I now saw the whole body of sin con- 
demned in my own flesh ; not by particular a£ls, as 
whilst travelling in the way to a perfeft moral state 
only, but by one stroke and sentence of the great and 
all-awing Judge of all the world, of the living and of 
the dead, the whole carnal mind, with all that dwelt 
therein, was wounded, and death begun y as self-love^ 
pride, evil thoughts, and every evil desire, with the 
whole corruption of the first state, and natural life. 
Here 1 had a taste and view of the agony of the Son of 
God, and of his death, and state upon the cross, when 
the weight of the sins of all human kind, were upon 
him, and when he trode the wine press alone, and 
none to assist hirrx. Now all my past sins were par- 
doned and done away; my own willings, runnings, 
searchings, and strivings, were at an end : and all m^y 
carnal reasonings and conceivings about the knowledge 
of God, and the mysteries of religion, were over; 
which had long exercised my mind, (being then natu- 
ral) both day and night, and taken away my desire of 
food, and natural rest : but now my sorrows ended, 
and my anxious cares were done away ; and this true 
fear being to me the initiation into wisdom, I nov/ 
found the true sabbath, a holy, heavenly, divine, and 
free rest, and m.ost sweet repose. This deep exercise 
being over, I slept till next m.orning, and had greater 
and better refreshment and comfort than I had felt for 
some weeks past. 

The next day I found my mind calm and free from 
anxiety, in a state like that of a young child. In this 

B 2 condition 



18 LIFE OF 1689 

candition I remained till night ; and about the same 
time in the evening, that the visitation before related 
came upon me, my whole nature and being, both 
mind and body, was filled with the divine presence, in 
a manner I had never known before, nor had ever 
thought that such a thing could be •, and of which 
none can form any idea, but what the holy thing itself 
doth give. The divine essential truth was now self- 
evident, there wanted nothing else to prove it. I 
needed not to reason about him ; all reasoning was 
{superseded and immerged by an intuition of that di- 
vine and truly wonderful evidence and light, which 
proceeded from himself alone, leaving no place for 
doubt, or any question at all. For as the sun in the 
open firmament of heaven, is not discovered or seen, 
but by the direft efflux and medium of his own light, 
and the mind of man determines thereby, at sight, 
and without any train of reasoning, what he is ; even 
-so, and m.ore than so^ by the overshadowing influence 
and divine virtue of the hip'hest, was m.v soul assured, 
that it was the Lord. 

I sav/ him in his own light by that blessed and holy 
onedium, which of old he promised to make known 
to all nations; by that eye which he himself had 
formed and opened, and also enlightened by the ema- 
nations of his own eternal glory. 

Thus I was filled with perfect consolation, which 
none but the word of life can declare or give. It was 
then, and not till then, I knew that God is love, and 
that perfect love which casteth out fear. It was then 
I knew that God is eternal light, and that in him is 
no darkness at all. I was highly favoured also with a 
view, and certain demonstration, of the manner of the 
operation of the Almighty, in assuming human nature, 
and clothing therewith, his inaccessible divine light 
and glory, even with an innocent, holy and divine 
soul and mind, homogeneal to the children of men : 
■jxA this as with a veil^ v/hereby the Most High hath 

suited 



1689 THOMAS STORY. 19 

suited himself^ and condescended to the low condition 
of man, and in whom also man, being refined as the 
tried gold, and thereby fitted for the hciy one, can ap- 
proach to him, as by a proper medium, and therein 
abide and dwell with the Lord, and enjoy him for 
ever. 

From henceforth I desired to know nothing but the 
Lord, and to feed on that bread of life which he 
himself alone can give, and did not fail to minister 
daily, and oftener than the m^orning : and yet of his^ 
own free will and goodness, he was pleased to open 
my understanding, by degrees, into all the needful 
mysteries of his kingdom, and the truths of his gos- 
pel ; in the process whereof he exercised my mind in 
dreamsj in visions, in revelations, in prophecies^ in di- 
vine openings and demonstrations. 

Also, by his eternal and divine light, grace, spiritj 
power, and wisdom y by his word, he taught^ in- 
struftedj and informed my mind, and by temptations 
also, and provings, which he suffered Satan to minis- 
ter ; that I might see my own weakness and danger, 
and prove to the utmost the force and elhcacy of that 
divine love and truth, by which the Lord, in his 
boundless goodness and mercy, had thus visited my 
soul. 

By all things I saw and heard in his v/onderful 
works of creation ; by my own rnind and body, aiid 
the connection and duration of tliem, as one, for a 
time 5 by their separation, and the distinct existence 
of each by itself, in very difFerent states and modes^ 
as if they had never been in union, or composed one 
man ; by the different states, ranks, and understand- 
ings of the children of men, their superiority, inferi- 
ority, offences and aids, the motive of every natural 
man to aft, regarding only himself. By the animals, 
reptiles, and vegetables of the earth and sea, their 
ranks and subserviences one to another- and all of them 
to the children of men. 

By 



20 LIFE OF 1689 

By the sun, moon, and stars, the Innumerable host 
of heaven, and infinite v/orlds, and that boundless 
space which they move and roll in, without interfering 
or any way annoying one another, as all depending 
one upon another, as meet helps, and coadjutors; all 
connected without a chasm, and all governed by the 
steady laws, v/hlch the Almighty word and fiat that 
gave them being, and formed them, placed them un- 
der, and settled them in. But as the diadem of all, 
and the only true and certain way, when it pleased the 
Most High, by the eiFuslon of his own goodness, to 
reveal in me the Son of his love, even his wisdom and 
power, by whom he designed and eiTecled all things, 
then I was taught to fear him. ; then I was taught to 
love him ; then, O then, and not aright till then, was 
my soul instrufied and informed indeed ! 

But these secret operations were confined to my 
own breast, so that no one knew any thing of them ^ 
only an alteration was observed in me, but the cause 
ef it was not sc^n. I put off my usual airs, mv joviat 
a£Hons and address, and laid aside my sword, which 
I had v/orn not through design of injury, or fear of 
any, but as a modish and manly oniament. I burnt 
also my instruments of musick, and divested myself 
of the superfluous parts of my apparel, retaining only 
that which v/as necessary, or deemed decent. I de- 
clined the public vv'-orship, not with design to join my- 
self to any other se& ; for 1 was rather apt to con- 
clude, from wh?t I had then observed, that these 
manifestations were peculiar to m.e, and that there 
was not any people I mdght properly associate with *, 
and also, at that time, I was induced to believe, that 
one day I should be obliged to oppose the world, in 
matters of religion *, but when, or how that should be 
brought to pass, I did not foresee. 

Remaining in a still and retired state, and the book 
of life being opened in my mind, I read v/hat the Lord 
him.self, by the finger of his power, had written, and 

the 



1689 THOMAS STORY. 21 

the lion of the tribe of Judah had opened there ; and 
the scriptures of truth, written by Moses and the pro- 
phets, the evangelists and apostles of Christ, were 
brought to my remembrance daily, when I did not 
read them^, and made clear and plain to my under- 
standing and experience, so far as they related to my 
own state, and also in a general way ; though I lusted 
not to know any mystery or thing contained therein, 
other than the Lord, in his own free will and wisdom, 
thought fit to manifest. 

And one night, being in bed, and all sleep and 
slumbering involuntarily suspended, and my mind 
quiet and easy, and dire£ted towards the north, about 
the second hour in the morning , after a short space, 
<^ I beheld a storm to arise in the northern ocean, to- 
" wards the north pole ^ and looking steadfastly upon 
*^ it, and the height, force, and fury of the mighty 
** waves, I saw an army innumerable walking thereon 
*^ towards the south ; and when they came ashore^ 
*^ they covered the whole breadth of the island of Bri- 
*^ tain, and all the northern lands ; and the rear I 
*• could not see, or whence they issued. They were 
^' strangers in the earth •, such as have not been 
*^ knov/n 5 their apparel plain, appearing as if they 
*^ had come from far, and travelled long : but I saw 
^^ no provision, baggage, sv/ord, spear, or weapon of 
^^ war, but only staffs in their hands, suiting their. 
*^ journey. Their countenances Vv^ere grave, sober 
^^ and calm, importing v/isdom and peace , and they 
^^ offered no violence or hurt unto any : and yet all 
*^ nations, being surprized and amazed with great and 
^^ sudden fear, fled before them, and they did not pur- 
^^ sue, otherwise than by v»''alking forward in the same 
^* steady pace and order, as upon the stormy seas, 
^^ which had not obstru£bed their march. The inha- 
^' bitants of Britain, and of other lands, of all stations, 
" ages, sexes, sefts and ranks, as distracted and con- 
^^ founded with fears, and flying as for their livesj 

f« whert 



22 LIFE OF 1689 

<^ when none pursued, fell, many of them by the way ; 
^^ and lest they should be overtaken, when no man 
^^ gave them chase, they cried out aloud, with confused 
^' shrieks and noises, raising their trembling hands, 
'^ and intermitting voices towards heaven, (which they 
<^ had deeply offended and neglected before) to im- 
*^ plore deliverance from the dreadful anny, v/hich 
<^ oftered them no harm. 'And when Britain's chil- 
^^ dren arrived at her southermost bounds, she joined 
*^ herself to the land of the ancient Gauls. And all 
" nations thus flowing together, as the concourse of 
*^ the waters into one sea, they vanished together, 
*^ and I saw them no more." 

As the nature and virtue of the divine essential 
truth increased in my mind, it wrought in me daily ^ 
great conformity to itself, by its own power •, reducing 
my mind to a solid quietude and silence, as a state 
more fit for attending to the speech of the divine 
word, and distinguishing it from all other powers, 
and its divine influences from all imaginations and 
other motions ; and being daily fed with the fruit of 
the tree of life, I desired no other knowledge than 
that which was given, in consequence of the strength 
of mind and understanding thence arising. 

And on the afternoon of the 21st day of the 11th 
month, 1689, silence v/as commanded in me, though 
not by me ; in which, it was given me to remain till 
the evening; and then that scripture, John xiii. 10, 
was brought to my remembrance; upon which I 
wrote as things opened in my mind, In manner fol- 
lowing : 

" Jesus seith to htm^ he that is ^v ashed neethih not 
** save to ivash his feet y but is clean every ivhitT 

** The washing of the feet signifies the cleansing of 
*^ the ways ; and those who are washed in the laver 
^' of regeneration, will walk in clean paths, and bring 
^^ forth fruit according to the nature of the tree of 
** life : such will walk in faith, love> obedience, peace, 

^^ holineas, 



1689 THOMAS STORY. 23 

<^ holiness, righteousness, judgment, mercy, and 
" truth. And whosoever saith, he Is of the Father, 
^f and hath not charity, he Is a liar, and the living 
" word ruleth not in him ; for whosoever hath known 
^* the word, and abideth tlicrein, hath the Father, be- 
<< cause the word of truth beareth witness of the Fa- 
<^ ther : and whosoever is born of God will keep his 
" commandments." 

The conversation of mankind being generally upon 
trifles, not worthy of the thought of rational crea- 
tures, tending much more to vice than virtue ; and my 
mind being a little renev/ed by the Influence of the 
divine truth, I was much in silence and alone: and 
w^hat thoughts I had, being upon other objefts than 
those I had been conversant with before I knew the 
truth, I wrote also some other things, as they v/ere 
presented in my mind, without any search or labour, 
and unexpefled. 

After this, a deep consideration returned upon and 
entered into my mind, concerning the states of many 
persons in the national way of worship, as also am.ong 
the dissenters from it, of divers denominations, some 
of whose preachers I had occasionally heard ; and had 
observed many others, who seem.ed to have sincerity 
and good intentions in their respeOave modes of wor- 
ship ; whence a question arose, whether it might not 
be through my ovv-n fault, for want of the true know- 
ledge of God, in myself heretofore, that I did not en- 
joy his presence among themi, as I had done, through 
his grace, since I had been visited, by the Lord, and 
drawn into retlrem.ent, by the comforts of his secret 
presence ; upon which I determined to go again and 
see, whether the good presence of the Lord would be 
manifested in me there, as alone in my retirements. 
And the place I went to was that called St. Cuthbert's, 
in the city of Carlisle ; there being usually prayers 
and a sermon there In the afternoon of the first day ; 
but not with that pomp, noise, and show, as at the 

cathedral. 



24 LIFE OF 1689 

cathedral, and therefore I rather chose it. And being 
seated there, as I had been often, and my mind retired 
inward to wait upon the Lord, as he himself had 
taught me ; the Lord would not own that worship by 
his sensible presence (though in himself omnipresent) 
nor me in that place ; but my mind became filled with 
darkness, and overwhelmed with trouble, to so great 
a degree, that I could hardly stay till the time was 
over 'j but lest I should do a thing which might be 
looked upon as indecent, I continued to the end, and 
returning to my chamber in trouble, I went not among 
any of them any more. 

But though I thus declined all outward worship, or 
that which was called so, determining to follow the 
Lord wl:eresoever it might please him to lead me ; yet 
I found an universal love, good-will, and compassion 
in my mind, to all sorts of people, v/hether Protestants 
of different denominations, Rom.ans, Jews, Turks, or 
Heathens. But I observed their several religions, or 
what they accounted so, every man for himself, to be 
mostly the effect of education, tradition, or chance. 
For he who is born and educated among the Romans, 
is a Roman ; and so of nil the rest ; till by accident, 
or interest, they change from form to form ; or some- 
times, though more rarely, through the inward con- 
vi£1:ions of the holy spirit of God, they obtain a right 
understanding, and worship him in truth. 

Therefore I stood still, and waited for the further 
leadings of the Lord, and the evidence of his presence, 
what to do, or where to abide ; though the Protes- 
tants in genera], especially the national church, were 
still nearer me than any other seft. 

Thus the world, in general, appearing to me dead 
with respeft to the true knowledge of God, (notwith- 
standing the truth of some notions they held in rela- 
tion to matters of fa 61:, and literal interpretation) I did 
not then see that the Lord God had any colleftive 
body of people at that day, whoj as such, truly wor- 
shipped 



1690 THOMAS STORY. 25 

shipped him, according to his own institution ; or that 
any one on earth knew some things, \vhich the true 
and living God had heen pleased, of his own free 
grace, and which I could neither ask, nor think of, to 
communicate unto me ; though I found in due time, 
I had been in this point mistaken, as the prophet of 
old, who thought he had been alone, and all Israel de- 
parted from the Lord. 

As the life of the Son of God prevailed in me, I 
became more and more innocent, humble, loving, and 
charitable to the poor ; to whom I gave money accord- 
ing to my ability, and without ostentation, or expe6t- 
ation of reward ; one instance of which I think pro- 
per to relate, it being attended with some particular 
circumstances. 

At the time King William was subduing Ireland, 
some persons and families retiring from the inconve- 
niences and hardships of the war, came into England, 
and, among others an Independent teacher, and with 
him, a youth, his son ; who being in want requested 
charity ; and coming to my father's house in Carlisle, 
where I then was^ I gave him half a crov/n ; which 
being more than he expecied, he took occasion thence 
to enter into discourse concetning some points of re- 
ligion, and civilly asked me what form of worship I 
attended. I replied, I had form^erly frequented the 
national worship, according to my education ; but 
then, and for some time before, had declined it, as 
also all other outward fonns, keeping retired in my 
chamber, in the usual days appointed for that pur- 
pose. When he heard this, he asked if his company, 
the next Lord's day (as he called it) might be accept- 
able ; for the national worship was not agreeable to 
him. I gave liberty, and he and his son came accord- 
ingly to my chamber, where I was sitting alone in si- 
lence, waiting upon the Lord. After a civil recep- 
tion, and short pause of silence, he began to magnify 
the great Providence of God, in re-establishing and 

C advancing 



26 LIFE OF 1690 

advancing that people, (meaning the Independents and 
Presbyterians) who had been so much hated, perse- 
cuted, and suppressed, now to be made the chief in- 
struments of deliverance, restoration, and reformation, 
to the right way of the. Lord, and to his own glory. 

As he spoke, I observed he was not himself upon 
the true foundation, nor acquainted v/ith the" mind of 
the Lord on that account ; but spoke from his own 
imagination, and particularly to his own se£t, as he 
and tliey desired it should have been. And, as soon 
as he came to a period, finding my mind filled with 
the sweetness and meekness of Divine Truth, I re- 
plied, 

^^ The divine Providence is indeed great over the 
*^ children of men, and apparently over this nation 
*^ and her dependents at this day •, and the necessity 
<^ of a right and thorough reformation is very great, 
<< and, in the proper time and way of the Almighty, 
*^*will be brought to pass : but neither by the mieans 
*^ nor instruments now in your view. For all the con- 
*^ tenders one against another, by destructive force, 
<^ are of one spirit divided against itself, under difter- 
<^ ent forms and views, in which the strongest will 
^^ advance themselves and their own way ; but cannot, 
<^ by such means, reform either themselves or others, 
^^ as they ought to do in the sight of God ; who does 
<« not approve or countenance violence, bloodshed, 
^< and unrighteousness in one se£l:, and condemn the 
*« same thing in another*, and will therefore bring 
<^ about that right reform.ation, by instruments of a 
«• different kind, and by another means and way, as it 
«• is written, Not by r7:tgkty nor by power ; but by my 
«f Spiritj sahh the LordP 

Upon this the stranger was much broken in spirit, 
and the tears run down his beard, and dropped upon 
his knee, as he sat by me ; and after that, being filled 
with love, (the same which had reached him from my 
spirit) he embraced me in his arms, rejoicing that he 

had 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 27 

had met with me, with some encomiums I do not 
think proper to write, but said no more on any reli- 
gious subje£l : soon after he departed, and I saw him 
no more. 

I now proceed with the account of my further pro- 
gress. On the conckision of writing some things, as 
before-mentioned, the people called Quakers, were 
suddenly, and with some surprize, brought to mj 
mind ; and so strongly impressed on my remembrance, 
that thenceforward I had a secret inclination to inquire 
further concerning them., their way and principles. 

It was some time in the fifth month, 1691, when 
an opportunity was presented : the occasion of it was, 
some concerns that I had in the west parts of Cum^^ 
berbmd, when, being in company with one of that 
profession, on a seventh-day night, and inquiring of 
him concerning some points of their religion, I per- 
ceived no m^aterial difFerence between his sentiments 
and mine, in the particulars then asked after \ and he 
also perceived I was nearer them than he (or perhaps 
any other) had thought, which gave him occasion to 
inform me of their meeting, to be held the next day, at 
a country village called Broughton. 

As I had been desirous to be rightly informed con- 
cerning that people, and to see them as in truth they 
were, I was pleased with the opportunity ; and the 
next morning the friend and I set forward toward the 
meeting ; and he being zealous to have me further 
informied, and convinced of the truth of their way, 
spake of m^any things as we rode along, and with a 
good intent : but my mind being composed, and its 
attention direfted towards God, who knew I only 
wanted to see the truth, and not be deceived, I could 
not take any distinct notice of what the friend said ; 
which he perceiving, after some time, desisted, and 
said no miore. And then we rode some miles toge- 
ther in profound silence,; in which my mind enjoyed 

a gentle 



28 LIFE OF 1691 

a gentle rest and consolation from the divine and holy 
presence. 

And when we came to the meetings being a little 
late^ it was full gathered, and I went among the throng 
of the people on the forms, and sat still among them 
in that inward condition and mental retirement. And 
though one of their mhiisters, a stranger, began to 
speak to some points held by them, and declaiming 
against some tilings held by others, and denied by 
them ; particularly predestination, as asserted by Pres- 
byterians ; yet I took not much notice of it : for as I 
did not doubt, but, like all other se£ls, they might 
have something to say, both for their own, and against 
the opinions of others ; yet m,y concern was much ra- 
ther to know, whether they were a people gathered 
under a sense of the enjoyment of the presence of 
God in their meetings ; or, in other words, whether 
they worshipped the true and living God, in the life 
and nature of Christ, the Son of God, the true and 
only Saviour : and the Lord answered my desire, ac- 
cording to the integrity of my heart. 

For, not long after I had sat down among them, that 
heavenly and watery cloud overshadowing my mind^ 
brake into a sweet abounding shower of celestial rain, 
and the greatest part of the meeting was broken to- 
gether, dissolved and comforted in the same divine 
and holy presence, and influence of the true, holy, and 
heavenly Lord ; which was divers times repeated be- 
fore the meeting ended •, and, in the same way, by 
the same divine and holy power, I had been often fa- 
voured v/ith before, when alone ; and when no eye 
but that of heaven beheld, or any knew but the Lord 
himself, who, in infinite mercy, had been pleased to 
bestow so great a favour. 

And, as the many small springs and streams, de- 
scending into a proper place, and forming a river, be- 
come more deep and weighty ; even so thus meeting 

with 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 29 

with a people gathered of the living God, into a sense 
of his divine and living presence, through Jesus Christ 
the Son of God and Saviour of the world, I felt an 
increase of the same joy of the salvation of God •, and 
the more, by how much I now perceived I had been 
under the like mistake, as the prophet of God of eld : 
but now otherwise informed, by a sure evidence and 
token J by the witness of the divine essential truth, in 
which no living soul can err, or be mistaken, or de- 
ceived ; being self-evident and undeniable in all those 
who truly know him. Our joy was mutual and full^ 
though in the efflux of many tears,, as in cases of the 
deepest and,, most unfeigned love •, for the friends there 
being generally sensible, I was afFefted and tendered 
with them, by the influence of the divine truth they 
knew and made profession of, did conclude, I had 
been at that time, and not before, convinced, and come 
to the knowledge or sense of the way of truth am.ong 
them : and tlieir joy was as of heaven, at the return 
of a penitent ; and mine as the joy of salvation from 
God, in view of the work of the Lord, so far carried 
on in the earth 5 when I had thought not long before, 
there had scarce been any true and living faith, or 
knowledge of God in the world. 

The meeting being ended, the peace of God, which 
passeth all the understanding of natural men, and is 
inexpressible by any language but itself alone, re- 
mained as a holy canopy over my mind, in a silence 
out of the reach of all words , and where no idea but 
the word himself can be conceived. But being invited, 
together with the ministering friend, to a friend's 
house, I went willingly with them : but the sweet si- 
lence commanded in me, still remaining, 1 had nothing 
to say to any of them, till the Lord was pleased to 
draw me curtain, and veil his presence ; and then I 
found my mind pure, and in a well-bounded Kberty 
of innocent conversation with them* 

C 2 And 



so • LIFE OF 1691 

And having staid there a short time, I was invited 
to dinner at the house of an ancient and honourable 
friend, in the village ; where I had great freedom of 
conversation. 

Being now satisfied, beyond my expeQation, con- 
cerning the people of God, in whom the Lord had 
begun, and, in a good measure, carried on, a great 
work and reformation in the earth, I determined in 
my mind, that day, to lay aside every business and 
thing which might hinder, or veil in me, the enjoy- 
ment of the presence of the Lord, whether among 
his people, or alone ; or obstruft any service, where- 
unto I was, or might be called by him ; especially 
things of an entangling, or confining nature : not re- 
garding what the world might say, or what name they 
might impose upon me. 

The business being over which had brought me 
into that part of the country, I returned to Carlisle ; 
where I had been but about two weeks, till the friend 
before-mentioned, coming to town, informed me of 
their meeting for business, and airairs of their society, 
and invited me to it, being about four miles distant. 
At first I was a little surprized he should invite me to 
such a meeting, and hardly thought him prudent in 
It ; for though things had happened as above, yet I 
^ad not made any outward profession v/ith them, or 
declared myself of their communion : but though I 
found some aversion, rather than inclination, towards 
it, yet I yielded to go, that I might see how, and in 
what spirit and wisdom, they managed the discipline 
^nd business of their society, in matters of relipon : 
that I might view them a little more clearly in all cir- 
cumstances, before I should openly declare for their 
',vay in all things (some doubts yet remaining as to 
some points) and whether they thoroughly agreed with 
the idea I had conceived in m.y mind, of the state of 
the church of Christ, viz. That they believed in God 

and 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 31 

and Christ ; v>^ere settled in the praftice of Christian 
morality ; that they were able to suffer any persecu- 
tion, or opposition, for true religion, when thereunto 
called, in the course of divine Providence ; that the 
mark of the disciples of Christ should be fairly upon 
them, To love one another^ not in word and in tongue 
only, but in deed and in truth ; and that they should 
be preserved by that love, in uniformity and unity 
among themselves •, and also be loving and kind to all 
men, as occasion might offer : and evince the same, 
by doing them good, and never any harm. 

These quahfications I had deemed sufficient to de- 
monstrate such to be the children of God ; brought 
forth in his image, righteousness, and true holiness in 
the mind, or inner man. 

The meeting being set, they had first a time of si- 
lence, waiting upon God (as I did believe and practise) 
for the renewing and strengthening their minds ; and 
after that tliey proceeded on the business of the day : 
and so it happened at that time, that a matter of mo- 
ment among them was debated, and not without some 
warmth on both sides \ but the zeal of both did not 
rise from the same root. It was concerning the man« 
ner and essence of their discipline, which a sexS: among 
them had opposed, from the time of the first proposal 
of any discipline among them as a society. The de- 
bates rising pretty high, and they observing me to be 
there •, and most of them, I doubt not, having heard 
I seemed to favour their way -j and being cautious lest 
I should take offence from their debates, not knowing 
the state of the case, or perhaps, not qualified to judge 
in matters so foreign to me, some of them put that 
friend who had introduced me, upon an inoffensive 
way to procure my absence ; and accordingly he call- 
ed me aside into an outer room, offering to discourse 
on some foreign subjeft ; but as my mind in time of 
silence in the meeting had been comforted in the life 
of truth, I remained under the sense of it, having taken 

little 



S2 LIFE OF 1691 

little other notice of what had passed in point of argu- 
ment, than in what spirit they managed and contended 
on each side. But though I observed the friend's 
good intent in calling me out, I could take no cogni- 
zance of what he said ; for a deep thought now en- 
tered my mind, whether these could yet be the people 
of God; since they seemed to be divided among 
themselves. 

The friend, observing my silence, and that I was 
under a deep inward concern, became silent likewise, 
and a trouble also seized him, but of another kind ; 
for I was concerned to know the truth, and on what 
side, if on either, it might lie ; and he w^as afraid I 
had taken offence, and might depart from the begin- 
ning I had made among them. And thus v/e remained 
silent for some time; during which I plainly observed 
a struggle between two distin£l: powers, in the ground 
of nature working in myself, which exhibited two dif- 
ferent ideaSy or conclusions in my mind, concerning 
the matter then in hand, and the spirits and persons 
concerned as agents therein, viz. 

That the first was truth establishing himself in his 
own nature, a law-giver and ruler in every member of 
his church and body, as alone needful to them who 
were truly so : but as he, who knoweth all things, did 
foresee that many would in time come into that pro- 
fession, as of old, without any knowledge of the di- 
vine truth, or v/ork of it in themselves, but, as thieves 
and robbers, climbing up some other way ; by educa- 
tion, tradition, imitation, or sinister interests, and 
worldly views ; who, not being under the rule and 
law of grace, in the second birth, would aft and say 
of themselves, contrary to the way of truth, and 
church of the living God : and therefore, in his v/is- 
dom and power work ng in the minds of the just, he 
had early established, and was yet more firmly estab- 
lishing, a due order among his people ; for preserving 
the right, Jipd passing judgment and condemnation on 

the 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 3S 

the wrong, and evil doers ; that such who should pro- 
fess the truth of God, and yet walk contrary to the 
same, bringing forth fruits of another kind, might be 
bounded and confined by outward moral rules \ adapt- 
ed to human reason and understanding. And, se- 
condly, on the other hand, that the spirit of this world 
had been, and still was, working in the other sort, to 
oppose all order and discipline, and to live loose as 
they list, without any rule or account to the society, 
though professing the same truth with them ; and to 
be judged only by their own light, or v/hat they called 
so, and accountable only to the spirit in themselves ; 
though several among that party were only against 
some branches of the discipline, already established 
by the body of the society, and not against the whole^ 

And, during this tim^e of silence, I clearly beheld 
the contrary natures and ends of these differing spirits ; 
the one truth, the other error \ the one light, the other 
darkness ; the one for moral virtue, and a holy pure 
mind, and the other for loose and unbounded liberty; 
and yet that these last, as creatures, did not see the 
sophistry of the evil one, to whom themselves were 
instruments, nor the snare, but intended well in their 
own view, and way of conceiving things. And, in 
proportion, and degree, as these distinftions Vv^ere gra- 
dually made clear in my understanding at that time, 
the load and trouble I was under abated \ and, at last, 
my mind settled down again to its own center in peace, 
and becam^e serene, as before \ which being fully sen- 
sible of, I was chearful, and said to the friend, v/e 
may now return into the house, for the danger u en- 
tirely over. 1 knew thy meaning before we came out 
of the other room ; and commend your care and cau- 
tion. With this he was greatly pleased •, and so v/ere 
the rest when they came to know it. 

After this I was at some other meetings ; but little 
notice was taken of it by any of my relations or ac- 
quaintance, till the time of the assize at Carlisle ^ 

where 



84, LIFE OF 1691 

where some friends being prisoners in the county goal 
for non-payment of tithes, others attended the assizes^ 
as their custom was, the better to obviate occasion of 
troubles, or hurt to any of the society, and to minister 
counsel, or other help, as need might be ; and these 
went to a meeting at Scotby, about two miles from the 
city ; and thither I went also. During the time of 
the meeting, I found a great and unusual load on my 
spirit, and hardness in my heart •, insomuch that I 
could hardly breathe under the oppression ; nor could 
I say, I had any sense of the comforts of the divine 
presence there, but that the heavens were as of thick 
brass, and the bars thereof as of strong iron. But 
though I had no enjoyment in myself, yet I was sen- 
sible the presence and goodness of the Lord was there, 
and many therein greatly comforted ; and therefore 
did conclude my condition of mind was from some 
other cause, and not relating to the state of the meet- 
ing in general. I could not perceive the particular 
matter which thus aiFefted me (for I knew not of any 
thing I had done or said to bring it on myself) till that 
evening being returned to my father's house, very soli- 
tary, silent, and inward, there came in an acquaintance 
of mine, who, after some compliments of civility, (for 
at that time I had not quite declined the common 
modes of salutation) desired to speak with me apart ; 
and then told me, that he had a trial to come on the 
next day, concerning certain houses, being the greatest 
part of all he had in the world ; that one of his wit- 
nesses to his deeds of conveyance was dead ; another 
of them gone into Ireland, and could not be had ; but 
I being the third, and having made the writings, he 
hoped, through my evidence, and credit, to gain his 
just point against his unfair adversary ; and desired 
me to be in readiness in the morning •, for the trial 
was like to come on very early. 

As soon as he began this relation, the word of life 
began likewise to work in me, in a very powerful man- 
ner. 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 35 

ner, and the holy hammer of the Lord I sensibly felt, 
and saw to be lifted up on that hardness of heart, 
which, for some time, (as above) had been my state ^ 
and it began to be broken, softened, and dissolved ; 
and the sense of the love of God, in seme degree to 
be renewed ; and then I saw plainly that this was the 
hard thing I had to go through, and that now v/as the 
time of trial, wherein I must take up the cross of 
Christ ; acknowledge his doftrine fully in that pointy, 
and openly, according to the understanding given me ; 
and to despise the shame and reproach, and ether suf- 
ferings which I well knew would ensue quickly ; or 
I must forsake the Lord for ever : for, denying his 
doftrine, in the sense I had novv' plainly seen it, would 
be a denying of himself before men ; and if I had then 
denied him, I could expeiSt no less, but, according to 
his word, to have been denied of him, and left under 
that hardness of heart, and want of the enjoyment of 
his divine presence, wherewith I had been favcured 
before. But, according to the advances of the Vv^ord 
and work of the Lord in me at that timie, my heart 
inclined to him : and as my acquaintance was speak- 
ing, I was furnished with a resolution to give Lirn a 
plain and direct answer ; which was on this manner, 
'^ I am concerned it should fall out so, (for I had a 
*^ real respeft for him, and saw his case to be very 
^^ hard) I will appear, if it please God, and testify 
^* what I know in the matter, and do what I can for 
^^ you that way ; but I cannot swear/' This was so 
. great a surprize to him, both from the nature of his 
case, and confidence he had of my ready compliance, 
he having had no occasion of any suspicion of my 
present condition till that moment ; that he broke Into 
a passion, and said, ^' What, you are not a Quaker !" 
Though I had made confession to truth so far, in 
that point, and the divine presence sensibly returned, 
and advanced In me j yet upon this, I was again silent, 
till clear in my understanding what to answer in sin- 
cerity 



36 LIFE OF 1601 

cerity and truth : for as no body before that time had 
called me Quaker, so I had not assumed the appella- 
tion ', which being given in reproach was not grateful ; 
though the thing, in its proper sense, most delightful. 
Nor did I then see whether I had so much unity with 
all their tenets, as might justify me in owning the 
name, (for in the unity of divine love and life only I 
had known them.) till the power of that life of him, 
who forbiddeth all oaths and swearing, r^'ising yet 
clearer and fuller in me, opened my understanding, 
cleared my w^ay, and enabled me thereto •, and then I 
said, << I must confess the truth, I am a Quaker." 

But as this confession brought me still nearer to the 
Son of God, his love increasing yet more sensibly in 
me, so likewise it heightened the perplexity and dis- 
turbance of m,y friend ; who in an increase of heat, 
and expressions therefrom suiting so obvious a disap- 
pointment, as it then appeared to him, threatened to 
have me fmed by the courts and proceeded against 
with the utmost rigour of the law ; " What must I 
** lose my estate by your groundless notions and 
^^ whims ?" But the higher my enemy arose, and 
raged in this well-meaning, but mistaken manj who 
thus, without design, became the instrument of miy 
trial, the fuller and more powerful still was the love of 
God ; whose cause I had now espoused, through his 
own aid, and the power of an endless life from him, 
made manifest in me : upon which I replied, in that 
calm of mind, and resignation to the will of God, that 
the life of the Son of God enables to, and teacheth. 
*^ You may do what you think proper that way; but 
*^ I cannot comply with your request in this matter, 
*^ whatever be the issue of it." And then he departed 
under great dissatisfaction, with all the threats and re- 
proaches his enraged passions could suggest to him, 
under a view of so great loss. 

Immediately I retired into my chamber ; for per- 
ceiving my grand enemy to be yet at work, to intro- 
duce 



1691 THOMAS STORY. S7 

duce a slavisli fear, and, by that means, subjeft my 
mind, and bring me again into bondage, I was willing 
to be alone, and free from the interruptions of com- 
pany ; that I might more fully experience the arm of 
the Lord, and his divine instrudions and counsel, in 
this great concern and exercise. 

The enemy (being a crafty and subtle spirit) wrought 
upon my passions, not fully subjefted, and more art- 
fully applied to my natural reason (my understanding 
not being fully illuminated) as his most suitable instru- 
ment. He urged the fine and imprisonment, and the 
hardships accompanying that condition, and how little 
help I could expecl from, my father or friends ; who 
would be highly displeased with me, for so foolish and 
unaccountable a resolution, as they would think it j 
and also the scofFmgs, derision, contempt, loss of 
friends and friendships in the world, with such other 
inconveniences, hardships and ill consequences, as the 
enemy could invent and suggest. 

During all which time, from about eight In the 
evening till midnight, the eye of my mind was fixed 
on the love of God, which still remained sensible in 
me, and my soul cleaving thereto in great simplicity, 
humility, and trust therein, without any yielding to 
Satan, and his reasonings on those subjefts, where 
flesh and blood. In its own strength. Is easily overcome 
by him. But the Lord put him to utter silence, with 
all his temiptations, for that season ; and the life of the 
Son of God alone remained in my soul ^ and then, 
from a sense of his wonderful work, and redeeming 
arm, this saying of the apostle arose in me with power, 
*< T/:e /aw of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made 
" me free fr 0771 the laiv of sin and death J^ 

And then the teachings of the Lord were plentiful 
and glorious ; my understanding further cleared, and 
his holy law of love and life was settled in me ; and 
I admitted Into sweet rest with the Lord my Saviour, 
and given up in perfect resignation to his \M^ will, in 

D whatsoever 



SB LIFE OF 1691 

whatsoever might relate to this great trial of my faith 
and obedience to the Lord. Li the morning I went 
up toward the hall where the judges sat, expecting to 
be called as a witness in the case before-mentioned ; 
but before I reached the place, I saw my said acquaint- 
ance approaching m.e, with an air in his countenance 
denoting friendship and affection : and when met, he 
said, ^^ I can tell you good news ; my adversary has 
*^ yielded the cause; we are agreed to my satisfa£i:ion/* 
Upon this I stood still in the street ; and reviewing in 
my mind the work of the Lord in me the night before, 
as already related, this scripture came fresh into my 
remembrance in the life of it, It is God luho worheth 
in you^ both to will and to do of his good pleasure : for I 
was sensible it was the Lord's doing, and accounted it 
a great mercy and deliverance ; though I was, by this 
means, exposed to the view and observation of all ; the 
pity of many (as they judged of my case) and the scoffs 
and censure of the baser and more ignorant sorts, 
which was for Christ's sake only j for none had any 
immorality to charge me with. 

This happened at the time of the assizes, and peo- 
ple from all quarters there. I quickly became the 
common subject of discourse and debate ; for few 
could believe the report, and many came to see ; and 
would get together talking and wondering ; and when 
they happened to see me afar off in the streets, would 
come in crowds to gaze ; some would take off their 
hats, and pretend to shew more than ordinary complai- 
sance, saluting me as at other times -, but I not making 
any returns of that kind, some would fleer and scoff, 
and run away in loud laughter, saying 1 was m.ad ; yet 
some others were struck with another passion ; they 
turned pale, looked sorrowful, and returned weeping. 

The fool's pretended pity and instruftions, who 
could not see and pity his own miserable case, or knew 
what himself said, was hardest to bear ; yet all these 
things did not provoke or move me j for the grace and 

presence 



1 691 THOMAS STORY. 39 

presence of the Lord was with me, and my full strengt'i 
and preservation j my heart was smTouaded wIlii a 
rampart of invincible patience, and my soul filled with 
divine love. 

This usage gave me a much clearer view of the 
low, mean, miserable, brutish state of many men, than 
I ever had before, or could have imagined. But I 
was more civilly used by some counsellors who came 
the circuit from London, among whom I had some 
business ; they were kind, familiar, and without a 
scofF or taunting. 

The business of the assizes being over, some of my 
acquaintance, gentlemen, both of town and country, 
who wished me well in their own sense, thinking I 
had been deluded, as they usually called it, by the 
Quakers, consulted how to restore and reclaim me, 
supposing those sentiments to be but lately embraced 
by me, and I not yet settled in them : -though I do not 
think any of them knew what the true Quakers, or 
their principles, were. 

The clergy generally shunned me, and I quickly ob- 
served a particular enmity in them against me •, though 
I had no more aversion to them as men. than to others. 
But some of these others, supposing me melancholy, 
because reduced from my former airs and cheariul- 
ness to silence and gravity, got together in a tavern, 
and my father v/ith them, intending to have me among 
them to drink a hearty glass ; and try^ in their way, 
whether they could raise my spirits into a more socia- 
ble temper, and bring me o IT from s ich thoughts. 

While they v/ere contriving this scheme, 1 was re- 
tired alone in my chamber, ai\d favoured with a seiise 
of the good and soul-nourishing presence of the Lord j 
but after some time a concern came upon me, whi-:!! 
gave me to expeQ; something was in agitation concern- 
ing me ; and soon after an attorney at law, of my ac- 
quaintance, cam.e from the company to me, and men- 
tioned certain gentlemen who desired to see me. at 

the 



40 LIFE OF 1691 

the tavern. I v;as not hasty to go, looking for the 
countenance of the Lord therein, neither did I refuse •, 
but my father, and some others, being impatient to 
liave me among them, came Hkewise to me. I arose 
from my seat when they came in, but did not move 
my hat to them, as they to me : upon v^hich my fa- 
ther wept ; and said, I did not use to behave so to 
him : I intreated him not to resent it as a fault ; for 
though I now thought fit to decUne that ceremony, it 
was not in disobedience, or disrespeft to himx or them ; 
for I honoured him as much as ever, and desired he 
would please to think so, notv/ithstanding exterior al- 
teration. But most of the rest kept up another air, 
hoping to bring me into the same at the tavern ; but 
T, through grace, saw their intents, and was aware ; 
and I had now freedom in my mind to go among 
them : and when we came there, the company all 
•cirose from their seats, and seeming generally glad, put 
on an air of pleasantness. In seating themselves 
Tigain^ they placed me so, as that 1 was in the midst 
of them, and then they put the glass round ; and to 
relish it the more, they began a health to King Wil- 
liam. But the secret presence of the Lord being with 
me, though hid from them, it affefted them all in a 
way they did not expeft •, for scarce had two of them 
drank, till their countenances changed, and all were 
silenced. The glass nevertheless went forward, till it 
came to me, and then I told them, I wished both the 
King and them well, and if I could drink to the health 
of any at all, I should more especially to the King's •, 
but should drink no health any more ; and so refused 
it, and the glass never went round •, for several of them 
fel! a weeping, and were much broken, and all of them 
silenced for a time ; which, when over, some of them 
said. They believed I intended well in what I did, and 
that every man must be left to proceed in the way 
which he thinks right in the sight of God : and so we 
parted in solid friendship. It was the secret grace of 

God 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 41 

God which wrought this 5 and to him, the Lord alone, 
did I impute it. And the company dispersing^ I re- 
turned to rny clia^iber in divine peace, and true tran^ 
quilHty of mind, with which I was favoured for many 
days. 

I had not, all this while, conversed with any friends 
about their principles, or read any of their books, nor 
did any of them come near me for some time ; for my 
father would not then allow therrvto come to his house : 
yet some of them not long after sent me three small 
books, which I took kindly, as well intended. But I 
was favoured of the Lord with something to give me 
understanding and support in time of need, more ex-- 
cellent than books 5 for that book, v/hich had been 
sealed as with seven seals, was now, in measure, 
opened by the powerful voice of the Lion of the royal 
tribe, and by the holy Lamb of God, even the book of 
the eternal law of God ; the law of the Spirit of life 
from the Father, by Christ the Son, Redeemer of the 
world : and my delight was to read day and night 
therein ; by which I profited more, in a short time, in 
the knowledge of God, and the things of his holy 
kingdom, than if I could have read and understood all 
the written and printed books in the world. I there-** 
fore declined reading these till a more proper season, 
and then I looked into one of the books aforesaid, a 
small Tra£l concerning Prayer : for it must be allow- 
ed, that the reading of good books, especially the Holy 
Scriptures, the chief of alL is highly prontable and 
commendable. 

Som.e time after this. Dr. Gilpin, an able physician^ 
and celebrated preacher among the Presbyterians^ 
sent his son, a counsellor, under whom I had been ini- 
tiated in the study of the law, and who still retained 
a great atFeftion for me, to invite me to his house a: 
Scaleby Castle, and desired to see some of the Quakers 
books, supposing I had been imposed upon by reading 
them 5 and I sent him, as I remember, aU that I had, 

D 2 Soon 



42 LIFE OF 1^91 

Soon after I had parted v/ith these books^ I observed 
a cloud come over my muid, and an unusual concern ; 
and therehi the two sacraments (coinmonly so called) 
came afresh into my remembrance, and divers scrip- 
tures and arguments pro and con \ and then I was ap- 
prehensive the Doftor was preparing something of 
that sort to discourse me upon ; and I began to search 
out some scriptures in defence of my own sentiments 
on those subjefts : but as I proceeded a little in that 
work, I became more uneasy and clouded -, upon 
which I sat still, looking towards the Lord for coun- 
sel. And as this caution was presented in the life and 
virtue of truth, I rested satisfied therein, and searched 
no further on that occasion. 

"When 1 went to his house, he entered into a dis- 
course on these subjects, and had such passages of 
scripture folded dovv^n as he proposed to use : upon 
cbserving this, I was confirmed that my sight of him, 
in my own chamber at Carlisle, and of his work some 
days before, was right \ and my mind was strengthen- 
ed thereby. But, before he began to move upon the 
8ubjecl, he dismissed every other person out of the 
room ; so that himself and I remained alone. 

The first thing he said, was, in a calm manner, to 
•admonish me to be very cautious how I espoused the 
errors of the Ouakers \ for he had heard of late, ants 
with concern, that I had been among them, or seemed 
to incline that way. I ansvvered, that I had not been 
much among them ; nor seen any of their books, but 
those I had sent him \ and knev/ not of any errors 
they held. Yes^. said he, they deny the ordinances of 
Christ, the two s:7craments, baptism, and the Lord's 
supper \ and then opened his book at one of his down- 
fvddcd leaveSj Vvhere he read thus: 

f« U?ito the church ivhich is at Cor'inthy to them that 
5* are sanElified in Christ Jesus ^ called to be saintsP 

And, at another folded down part, he read thus : 
*^ For 1 have received cf the Lord^ that vjhich also I de* 

^i livered 



1591 THOMAS STORY. 43 

4 

^^ livered unto youy thai: the Lord Jesus ^ the same night 
^^ in ivhich he icas hetraydy took bread : and ^vhcji he 
*^ had given tha/ihsj he brake ity a?id said^ Take^ eat ; this 
^' is my body ivhieh is broken for you : This do in remeni" 
^^ brance of me. After the same rnanfier also he took the 
^' cupy when he had suppedy sayingy This cup is the JNc-iu 
*^ Testament in 7ny blood ; this do yey as oft as ye drink 
*^ //, in remembrance of me i for as often as ye eat this 
^^ bready and drink this cupy ye do shcuc the Lord's death 
«^ //// he comeP 

Upon these scriptures he raised this argument, 
'^ That though the CorhithlaiiS ?X that time were 
^^ sanctified in Christ/ and called to be saints, yet 
^^ they still needed this ordinance, and were to con- 
^« tinue in it^ according to the apostle's doftrine, till 
^' the coming of Christ at the end of the world ; and 
^^ he did not think the Quakers more holy or perfe£l: 
^^ Christians than the Corinthians at thst time ; andj 
^^ consequently, that no state in this life can render 
*^ that ordinance needless to them, or overp'row it.'' 

o _ 

To this I replied, ^' That though some of those 
«^ Corinthians had obeyed the call of God, and were 
^^ at that time sanctified by faith in Christ \ yet others 
" of them had not obeyed the call^ but were remain- 
f ^ ing in gross sins and pollutions : but as they had 
" been heathens^ and convinced by the ministry of that 
«^ apostle, as appears by the beginning of the second 
^^ and fifteenth chapters of th.a epistle, lie had first of 
*^ all preached to them. Christ's coming in the flesh 
^^ among the Jews j his life, miracles^ dodlrine, death 
^^ for our sins, and resurrection from^ the dead, as 
^^ saving truths ^ but does not so much as mention 
^' this supposed ordinance among them. 

'» But, considering their weak "Xii^i carnal state, and 
^^ incapacity then to reach the knowledge of divine 
^^ mysteries, the apostle had, in their initiation into 
^^ the Christian religion, related to them the sayings of 
«^ Christ on that subject: •, and they had been in the 

<^ praftice. 



44 LIFE OF 1691 

^' praftice, or rather abuse of it, till the time of writing 
^* that epistle ; yet, if the words of that epistle, in 
^^ that place, be impartially observed, without prepos- 
^' session or prejudice, and compared with o^ier scrlp- 
'^ tares, it will appear, that there is not any positive 
^* command for it at ail, much less is it made a stand- 
*^ ing ordinance ; but left to the option and discretion 
" of his disciples ; to whom it was first mentioned 
*^ how often they should do it, and, consequently also, 
*^ how long they should continue it, as appears by the 
*' same text now adduced, viz. T/j'is doy as Gften as ye do 
^* ity in remembrance of me. 

^^ To set this matter in a clearer light, it is well 
*^ known^ that, at the time of the redemp ion of the 
*^ Jews from their Egyptian slavery, the passover, with 
*^ the pascha! lamb, was Instituted as a standing ordi- 
*' nance, in commemoration of it, until Christ, the 
^' Lamb of God, and antitype of that figure, should 
*^ come : but as Israel, offending the Lord, was after- 
<^ wards sent into captivity under the Babylonians, they 
** could not, in that state, and under that government, 
" celebrate it in form ; and therefore they invented 
<* another way to keep that great deliverance in mem- 
*< cry, which was this : The fatlier, or chief of the 
•* family, at the proper time of the paschal supper, 
*^ took bread, and blessed it, saying, ' Blessed be thou, 
" O Lord our God, who gives us the fruit of the 
*^ earth ;' then dividing it among the company, in like 
** manner he also took the cup, and blessing it, said, 
*^ Blessed be thou, O Lord, who gives us the fruit of 
*^ the vine.' This they did in a solemn manner, re- 
*^ membering thvjlr Egyptian slavery and deliverrmce ; 
" lamenting their present state, acknowledging their 
*< sins, and the justice of God in their punishment; 
«* and hopes of his mercy from his former kind deal- 
" inrs, and gracious promises. 

" The Jews, being thus initiated into this praftice, 
" upon so solemn an occasion as the Lord's being 

«« pleased 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 45 



*i pleased to remember them v/ith redemption a second 
^^ time., the succeeding generations continued it, as 
*« incident to the pissover, until the Lord Christ, the 
^^ antitype (as well of the paschal lamb, as of the 
*' bread and wine) did come ; who, when he appeared, 
*^ was declared by John the Bapti t to be the Lamb of 
*^ God IV hick taketh aiuay the sin of the -ivor/d ; and he 
*^ declared himself to be the bread of life^ the living 
^^ bread ivhich came doivn from heaven : proclaiming 
also^ and that very emphatically, that his flesh is meat 
'^ indeed^ and his blood is drink indeed ; that except they 
^^ ate his fleshy and drank his bloody the^) had no life in 
'^ them. And all this was meant of the spirit of Christ, 
^^ and not of his flesh ; it is the Spirit that quickeneth^ 
^^ the flesh profit eth nothing, 

^* The time drawing near v/hen the Lamb of God 
^^ was to be slain, and offered as a sacrifice, decla.ing 
^^ the mercy of God the Father, who sent him in love 
^' to the whole world, he then said to his disciples, 
^» With desire I have desired to eat this passover luith you 
^^ before I suffer : and, at the time of it, as father and 
<^ chief of his flock and family, he celebrated the pass- 
*^ over in form, with this difference only, that whereas 
^* the Jews, until that time, in the celebration of it, 
*^ had looked back to the type, and outward deliver- 
*^ ance from Egypt, the Lord now directs them, to 
^^ himself, as the antitype of all figures ; and tells 
^^ them, he would not any more eat thereof (the pass- 
*^ over) until it should he fulfilled in the hi'rigdoni of God ; 
'^ nor drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day, 
^^ ivhen he should dri?ih it ne^iv Tvith them in his Father^ s 
^^ kingdom, 

^^ Which eating and drinking in the kingdom of 
^^ God cannot relate to material bread and v/ine, 
'^ wliicii can only be exhibited as symbols of the out- 
« ward bovdy of Christ, and the* blood of tliat holy 
^- body ; which, to be eat and drank in a natural sense, 
^^ prohteth nothing : but to the all-quickening virtue 

^^ and 



^6 LIFE o? 1691 

and power of his holy Spirit ; which is all in all, and 
true feeding to the commonwealth of the whole Is- 
rael of God. And therefore this passover, or any 
part or relative to it, whether bread, wine, or any 
matter in it, could be of no further use or obligation 
to the disciples of Christ, than till they should ex- 
perience in themselves his divine and spiritual ap- 
pearance and coming in them ; and to be the same 
to their souls^ or minds, which natural food and 
drink is to the body ; 'its support, strength, nourish- 
ment, and means of duration : w^hich divine coming 
of Christ, as such, can mean no other than his being 
made m.anifest in a spiritual administration : for, as 
he is that eternal Spirit of essential Truth, and word, 
wisdom, and power of God, it is not strifily to say 
of him (in that sense) that he shall come or go any 
where, but to be made manifest ; for, as such, he 
ever v*'as, is, and will be omnipresent, and never ab- 
sent from any time or place. His coming then must 
intend his powerful manifestation where he already 
is, and not a loco-motive coming from where he is, 
to any other place where he was not before : for the 
heaven of heavens cannot contain him. 
" Seeing then this was only the passover, and the 
terms of the application of it to himself not institu- 
tive of any new command or ordinance, but a liberty 
to do, or not to do it, at discretion. This do ycy as oft 
as ye dri-ih ity in rctnembrancc of incy laid no obligation 
upon them to ^^o it any more at all, it being ended 
by the manifestation of its antitype •, and-, in the na- 
ture of the thing, could be of no further obligation, 
or reasonable use, when Chris r himself was witness- 
ed in them, to be that eternal, everlasting, never- 
failing, div'ine substance. 

^^ But the apostle Paul, whose concern for the Jevv^s, 
and zeal for tlie conversion of the Gentiles, to whom, 
in an especial manner, he was sent, engaged him to 
hecane all things ia all nien^ that bv all means he might 

• 65 gaitt 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 47 

^^ gain somey recommended to the Corinthians the 
<^ pracSlice of the passover, with the new application 
* «^ of it to Christ, at the time of their first beHeving in 
<^ him by that apostle's ministry ; that being yet car- 
<^ nally m.inded, they might have an outward commu- 
*^ nion, till the true communion should be made 
*^ known, which their state at that time could not 
*^ bear : as, in point of prudence only, he prafiised 
*^ some other legal rites, at some times ; which, in his 
^^ doftrine, he condemned at other times, where the 
** state of the people was able to bear it. 

<^ And it is much more likely, considering the na- 
** ture and end of the gospel, and its excellency above 
*^ the law and all legal and typical rites, as substances 
*^ excel shadows, that the apostle, observing how much 
^ some of the Corinthians had abused the passover in 
*^ praftice, and their very carnal state under it, v/as 
*^ rather, by that epistle, endeavouring to supersede it, 
*^ and bring them ofF to the living substance ; where 
^' he saith to such among them, as were already sanc- 
^^ tified, and to whom he inscribed his epistle — / speak 
*^ as to luise men^ J^^^g^ y^ 'what I say ; the cup of hless^ 
*^ i/2g"> "which ive bless ^ is it not the communion of the blood 
^^ of Christ P The bread, which we break, is it not the 
*^ communion of the body of Christ ? For ive being many, 
*^ are one bread and one body ; for we are all partakers of 
*' that one bread. 

^^ It is plain therefore, that the communion of the 
^^ sanftiiied and wise in Corinth, stood not in the 
*^ bread which perisheth, nor in the wine of the grape, 
^^ which some of the Corinthians were carnally abusing, 
<^ but in the quickening spirit and power of Christ, the 
<^ true, living, life-giving, and life-preserving bread ; 
<« which daily comes from heaven into all the san£li- 
*^ fied and saved of the Lord. 

<^ This is that spirit that quickens and preserves to 
^< life eternal \ the flesh profiteth nothing : and, since 
<* it is so, n^uch less does any symbol of the flesh pro- 

« fit, 



48 LIFE OF 1691 

<* fit, but the divine substance only. This is that 
^* substance, of which the apostle draws the compari- 
*< son; ."wCy being man^^ are ofie bread: for as wheat*"-" 
" consists of many particular grains, each containing 
" a distinft principle of life after its kind, and 'all. of 
<< the same nature, which, being broken, and rightly 
" prepared and orderetl by the good husbandman, be- 
" come one bread ; even so is the church of Christ : 
" every m.em.ber, in his natural state, being alienated 
'** from the life of- God, through the ignorance and 
<* darkness that was in him, and separated also one 
<* from another, as without a proper medium and con- 
" dition of union \ but being ordered and prepared by 
" the Fatlier of mercies, through Christ his eternal 
«^ word, they become one body, and one spirit, the 
*^ cl'urch ; which is his bodv \ the fulness of him who 
«' filleth all in all/' 

This is the substance of what I observed to the 
Do£lor, though I have expatiated somewhat further 
on the subjedt in this place, and generally applied the 
scriptures ; to which he made little other reply, than 
by telling me, in a very calm and familiar manner, that 
as he had always believed it to be an ordinance of 
Christ, he had solemnly used it as such, and found 
comfort in it. To which I returned, that I did not 
doubt but he might have some satlsfaftion in it, since 
he believed it a remaining ordinance, and did it under 
that apprehension. Whosoever in his heart believes 
any thing to be a standing duty in the church of Christ, 
whirl' ever had any countenance in it by practice, and 
performs it faithfully, according to his belief and un-' 
den; t^;r' ding, may find a satisfaftion in it. 

But since God, in mercy, is pleased to afford the 
living substance, without the use of those means which 
are suppos d to lead to an end already attained, they 
can be no more a duty to such ; and that is the case 
arronii the true Quakers, who love and fear the Lord 
sincerely. 

As 



1891 THOMAS STORY. 49 

As to the other point, viz. Baptism, he said but 

little about it •, and I only asked him this question.. 

^whether he did believe it necessary to salvation ? He 

^^nnsw^ered, that he did not think it absolutely neces- 

sar4 
*Tken he said, that seeing the Quakers pretended, 

that'tliey did not know before they went to meetings, 

whether they should preach or pray, or what way in 

either, and yet travelled in strange places •, how could 

thev speak to the states of the people, or be joined 

with in prayer ? To this I answered, that such as went 

to a meeting empty of all things, and w^aited upon 

God, were often filled with his Holy Spirit, Vv'ho 

knows all states, at all times and places : and if the 

preacher attend to him, as he ought, and deliver those 

matters opened to him at the time, the Lord both 

gives the word; and makes the application to every 

state, in every particular person ; which no preacher 

or instrument, of himself, is able to do. And as to 

the joining in prayer, all right prayer is by the aid of 

the spirit of Christ, the mediator between God and 

man ; which in that respe£t is called the spirit of 

prayer and of supplications ; and as such is promised 

of the Father to the church, and received by her : 

and her unity in prayer stands, not so much in ' the 

form of words, though sound and pertinent, as in the 

nature, virtue, and influence of the Holy Spirit of 

Christ, her holy head, life, lawgiver, and comforter. 

He did not oppose this, but was after much more 
free and familiar with me than before, or than I ex- 
pe£led; and so we parted in friendship, and I re- 
turned in peace and gladness. 

^^ From henceforth I M^as easy, as to every thing 
«^ any of that sort could say : and divers disputes I 
<< have had with many of them since, in other parts 
*< of the world ; but never began any controversy, be- 
** ing always on the defensive side ^ and rarely entered 
«* upon any point in question, till I knew the divine 

E <' truth 



50 LIFE OF 1691 

truth over all in my own mind, and my will subjeft- 
ed by it. My next care was, not to provoke my 
opponent ; for by keeping him cahii, I had his own 
understanding, and the measure of grace in him, 
for truth, and my point, against the error he d6ji- 
tended for ; and my chief aim generally hath been, 
to gain upon people's understandings for their own 
good. But when a man is put into a passion, he 
may be confounded, but not convinced : for passion 
is as scorching fire without light ; it suspends the 
understanding, and obstrufts the way to it, so that 
it cannot be gained upon, or informed, which ought 
to be the true aim in all conferences and reasoning 
in matters of religion ; else all will end in vain 
and unprofitable jangling, contrary to the nature of 
the thing they reason about, and displease the Holy 
One, and end in trouble. But two or three times 
at most, in the course of my life, in too hasty en- 
gagements in my own strength, and off my full 
guard, my mind hath been ruffled : and though I 
have gained, the point by force of argument, from 
the principle of reason only, and not from the prin- 
ciple of divine truth ; yet I have not had that peace 
and satisfa£i:ion of mind which is to be found in the 
virtue of truth alone. And this has also taught me 
to bo totally silent, and sometimes even insulted by 
ignorants, as if 1 had nothing to say ; till the power 
and virtue of truth hath arisen in my miind, and then 
it hath never failed, by its owni light and evidence, 
to support its own cause, and justify me." 
After this I had divine peace and consolation in 
y mind for some li.iie, and was mercifully favoured 
with the living bread from above daily ^ and I went 
constantly to the meetings of friends, where, in a state 
of silence, my heart was frequently tendered and bro- 
ken by the divine influence of the powerful truth, to 
my unspeakable satisfaction : a holy pleasure and en- 
joyment, which the world, or any thing therein, can 
never afford. 

Our 



1691 THOMAS STORY. -' 

. --Our meetings in the north, hi those days, were fre- 
quently broken and meked m silence, as w 11 as unvicr 
a powerful living ministry, by the v/ord. In the mean 
time my father began a little to relent, and admit some 
friends to come to my chamber to see me ; and he was 
brought, by degrees, into a pretty low state of m.ind : 
and one day, as I was sitting by him, he read in a 
book, intitled^V^r>J'j" Lives, &c. (as I remember) when 
I observed his tears to drop upon the book, but he did 
not know that I perceived it j and after he had wiped 
his face, he turned towards me, and said : ^' I see 
^' there have been in former times as great fools as 
•^ you, to leave their friends and preferments in the 
*^ world, for their opinions in religion." 

But he did not remain long in this condition ; for 
the spirit of the v/orld began to work another vv^ay. 
Some of his acquaintance, discoursing with him con- 
cerning me> one day said to him : " We know your 
" son very well ^ though yaung, he is no fool, you 
^^ know the Quakers are an opulent people, and their 
^^ principles lead them to refuse the payment of tithes 
" to the clergy, which together with other oppositions 
^^ they meet with from one or other, occasions many 
^^ law suits, and much business : and as they favour 
^^ one another in all things, particularly in trade, and 
^^ the like, you will see he Vvdll have as m.uch business 
^^ soon as any man in England, and vv^ill be well paid 
«^ without question." 

This temptation, being skilfully adapted, took im- 
mediately with him, and entered very deep, the ill 
eitecls whereof quickly appeared. For he scon got 
from under that humble state of mind, and tenderness 
he had in somie degree experienced j and though his 
countenance seemed very open and chearful tov/ards 
me, yet it v/as from that wrong ground and worldly 
viev/, which greatly loaded and oppressed my mind. 
For, as I clearly perceived the praftice of the law^ 
and to be frequently in the suits and contests of the 

world^ 



52 LIFE OF 1691 

world, would be inconsistent with divine peace in my 
own mind, expose me to many'temptations, and con- 
fine me so that I could not follow the Lord in that 
way wherein I understood he was leading me, and 
purposed to bring me forward ; that is, not only in 
san£lification and justification, for my own salvation, 
but also in a publick ministry of that holy and power- 
ful word of life, by which the Lord, of his own free 
will and grace, had called me •, and, to that end, I 
knew was working in me qualifications suiting his own 
purpose thereby : and therefore my secret concern was, 
how to get rid of that great and dangerous obstruc- 
tion •, well knowing it would very much oppose my 
father's views, heightened, as aforesaid, and I was 
loth to offend him •, but had no concern, prospeft, or 
doubt then, as to a way of living in the world. And, 
on the other hand, to offend the Lord by negleft, or 
disobedience, was justly to forfeit his mercy and fa- 
vour, and cancel the seal of the covenant of life ; de- 
pending, on my part, upon perseverance in moral 
righteousness, and a faithful future obedience to his 
holy calling ; for, where the word of God is given, 
and become a law of life, and an immediate direftor, 
disobedience in that case is of an higher nature, and 
more immediately attended with the sensible and 
dreadful condemnation of this immortal law, thus 
ministered, than for the negleft of any moral com- 
mand, mediately administered to mankind, whilst yet 
in a natural and rational state only. 

Duty to the Almighty, and the will and earthly 
views of my natural parent, becoming opposite, I re- 
''mained not long in suspense what to do. For as, 
through grace, I had been enabled to take up the cross 
of Christ, in confessing his holy name, in the dispen- 
sation of God to his people at that time ; so, by the 
same grace, i was likewise enabled to undergo the dis- 
pleasure of my father, to close my eyes from all worldly 
views, and to stop my ears from hearkening to any 

preferments 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 5S 

preferments there ; and being furnished with a full 
resokition in my miud to decline the practice of the 
law, though the only thing designed as a means of 
life. Accordingly, the next persons who came to 
employ me in business of that kind, I refused in my 
father's presence •, and told them, in his hearing, I 
should not undertake business of that kind any more. 

Upon this the load went off my mind ; but from 
that time my father's countenance was changed to- 
wards me, and his behaviour quite another thing ; 
often asking me hov/ I expe£led to live in the world : 
as if he had feared I should become a dead charge 
upon him. 

This tem.ptation being overcome, another quickly- 
followed ; the world had formed a false notion in those 
days, that our ministers, like their priests, were well 
paid by the society for preaching, and generally grew 
rich by that means ; they not knov/ing of any reason- 
able motive for such an undertaking, but lucre only ; 
and som^e having told my father, that such and such 
ministering friends, v/nom he knew, went often abroad^ 
preaching, and as often brought home good sums o£ 
money ; and that his son, being ingenious, v/ould sooii 
learn to preach among them, get money, and become 
rich too : this seemed to take some hold, and he would;, 
now and then, pass a joke upon mie about it •, but I 
being silent for some years after, it afforded him no 
great hopes of my living by it. 

My delight, was continually in the truth, and I de« 
sired no comipany but of friends, and frequented meet- 
ings on all occasions, where my heart was frequently 
tendered by the truth, and it often reached and afFeft- 
ed others by me -, so that I became very dear to friends.^ 
and they to me. As that tenderness was in its nature 
an involuntary ministry, being an operation of the spi- 
rit without words, I found for some time great satis- 
faftion and safety in it. And desiring to see friends 
in some other places, I went a short journey with 
. E2. Andrew 



54 LIFE OF 1692 

Andrew Taylor, a powerful and able minister in his 
day, of an affable and chearful temper, and one of 
my particular friends. 

On the 20th of 12th month 1691, we went from 
Heatherside in Cumberland, and had meetings at seve- 
ral places in this and some neighbouring counties •, but 
I had no other publick ministry in this journey, than 
being frequently much tendered in the several meet- 
ings to my great satisfaftion, and the comfort of many 
who wished me well for the truth's sake, and desiiped 
my prosperity therein. 

After this, I remained at my father's house, though 
under many inward loads and burthens in the family, 
none of them having a vSense of truth : and, keeping 
constantly to meetings, and living near the divine truth, 
I was thereby preserv^ed from the attending evils and 
temptations, till the Lord opened a way for another 
journey •, which was as followeth : 

On the 19th of 11th month 1692, I met with John 
Bowstead by appointment at Healy-hall, not far from 
Newcastle upon Tyne ; and after having meetings in 
these parts, on the 2d of 12th month we arrived at 
Edinburgh in Scotland, and were at the quarterly 
meeting there on the same day, which being ended, 
we met with Thomas Rudd, who had some days be- 
fore come from England, and had been several times 
through the city and colleges of Edinburgh, crying, 
JVo to the sandy foundation ; with some other words of 
the like import, warning the people to fear before the 
hord^ the mighty God of heaven and the eai'th, and to 
turn from the evil of their ways. 

He had a voice suited to the measure of his words, 
with an innocent boldness in his countenance. John 
Bowstead and I, though we had a good will to the 
cause, and personal love to our friend, sufficient to 
have engaged us with him in any service warranted 
by a degree of the like concern and call, and to go 
witli him through the city •, yet we were not willing 

to 



1692 THOMAS STORY. 55 

to hazard our lives, or liberty, as intruders into his 
concerns, not finding any thing from the Lord so to 
do. We therefore went to the friend's house, where 
we lodged, to wait the issue of our friend's underta-- 
king, where we had not sat down, till it pleased the 
Lord to give us a more evident fellow-feeling of our 
friend's concern, in great brokenness of heart, in 
which we were constrained to go up into the city after 
him, where we found him delivering his message to 
a great multitude of people ^ some of whom had 
thrust him down into a low shop, in the High-street > 
from whence, ever as he attempted to move, the rab- 
ble pushed him back. Nevertheless, the power of the 
Lord was over the multitude, both in him, and in us ; 
so that all fear of them was removed from us by the 
prote£ting arm of the Lord, who is ever near to deli- 
ver such as zQi in his counsel, in the time of greatest 
danger. 

In the mean time, John Bowstead, being a bold able 
bodied man, pressed through the crowd, and taking 
Thomas Rudd by the arm, advanced him into the 
street, near the cross, where he had again somie warn* 
ings for the people. Some mocked, yet others among 
them were put upon a more serious consideration > 
what could engage us thus to appear in a place of so 
imminent danger. From the Cross we went down 
the High-street and Cannongate, till we came to the 
Tolbooth, over against which stood several companies 
of soldiers, to whom T. Rudd spoke some words by 
way of warning, as before, and I did not observe that 
any of them offered the least opposition : but as we 
were passing by them, intending to go to our lodg- 
ings, there came a certain civil ofHcer from the chief 
bailiff of the city, to summon Thomas before him ; 
who accordingly went, and after the bailiff had exa- 
mined him about such things as he thought fit to ob- 
ject, he was committed to the Tolbooth of the city ; 

but 



56 LIFE OF 1692 

but was not long detained there, orders being given 
the next day for his releasement. 

After this, Thomas Rudd preached to the people 
again in the street, with little or no interruption, the 
multiude being as stiil as if we had been in a meeting 
of friends, and many persons of the greater rank lean- 
ed out at the windows, and heard the sound of the 
truth. 

Thus the people being, as it were chained by the 
mighty and invisible power of truth, and our spirits 
over them, and at liberty by the same, to his glory and 
our great consolation, we v/ent to our lodgings *, where 
we had been but a short time, till a messenger came 
' from the Countess of Kincairn, to invite Thomas Rudd 
to her lodgings, in order to have some discourse with 
him concerning his message, and to know whether he 
had denounced any judgment against the city •, for the 
adversary, by his emissaries, had invented and spread 
a rumour, that T. Rudd had prophesied, that in seven 
days the city should be destroyed. 

In the afternoon we went to the Countess, and 
Thomas Ballantyne with us, a friend wholiad been 
through the streets with Thom.as Rudd before we 
came to town, and continued with us during the 
whole time. This Countess was an ancient wom.an, 
and of a grave and serious deportment : she was kind 
and courteous to us, entertained us w4th respeft, and 
acknowledged several doflirlnes of truth, so far as we 
had occasion to discourse her. She also acknowledged 
a sense of the great provocations that city had given 
the Lord to bring severe judgments upon it j and told 
Thom.as Rudd, she had heard he had spoken against 
the Presbyterian church, of which she was : To which 
he answered, that he was concerned by the Lord to 
cry, JJ^o agai7i.sl the sandy foimdation ; and if the Pres- 
byterians v/ere concerned there, they v/ould do well 
to look to it. 

From 



1692 THOMAS STORY. , 57 

From thence we went to the Lady Collington's 
lodgmgs, who, in the time of Thomas Rudd's im- 
prisonment, had sent to him to know if he wanted 
any thing 5 and had likewise sent her maid to invite 
him to her house after he was at Hberty. She enter- 
tained us respeftfully, and discoursed matters that 
occurred seriously; but in the mean time came in a 
priest, and one Dr. Sibbald, a physician, with whom 
we had some dispute : the matter in controversy with 
the Doftor was baptism : we made short work with 
him, but the particulars not exa£tly remembered, are 
therefore omitted. 

But the priest, being a young man, and a little too 
forward to engage in matters he did not understand ; 
and the controversy with him being concerning the 
ministry, I cited a passage out of the first epistle of 
John, viz. " But the anointing which ye have received 
^^ of him ahideth in you ; and ye need not that any man 
^^ teach you : but as the same anointing teacheth you of all 
*^ thingSy and is truth and is no lie ; and even as it hath 
<* taught youy ye shall abiJe in himJ^ And asked the 
priest what this anoiating was, and how the same 
taught : to which he was silent, not without blushing 
in the presence of the Lady. 

Then I inquired of him further about his call to 
the ministry, and by v/hat authority he took upon him 
that office. To which he answered, ^« There is an 
^^ external call, and an internal call." The external I 
passed over, and asked him what his internal was ? and 
by what ? He replied, '^ That it was by the light of 
^^ God's grace v/hich was in him." I replied, " Take 
** heed how thou ascribest so much power to the light 
^^ within, lest thou be reputed a Quaker." Upon 
this he desisted to prosecute the argument any further, 
and dropped the defence of his internal c ill, but be- 
took himself to accusations; and sp:^aking to Chomas 
Rudd, said, ^^ We have ministers here already suffi- 
" cieat to instru£l the people, and need not you to 

<^ maker 



58 LIFE OF 1692 

" make such disturbance in the city." To which one 
present answered, " It was not they that made the 
*^ disturbance, it was your hearers ;" meaning, that 
the unruly people were, for the most part, of the same 
profession v/ith him. 

A pause of silence coming over us, and truth over 
all, Thomas Rudd said some few things to the old 
Lady, and John Bowstead to the Priest and Doctor, 
and then we departed in peace with the Lord, and in 
favour and respect v/ith most of the auditory, which 
were many more than I have mentioned in particular. 
Having finished our concerns at Edinburgh, v/e went 
into a ferry-boat at Leith, on the 6th of the same 
month, and arrived at Kinghorn, and next day at 
Couper; through which Thomas Rudd went with 
the same message as at Edinburgh, and J. Bowstead 
and I went with him. The people came forth as bees 
from a shaken hive, so that the streets were quickly 
filled. We went through the town unmolested, and 
came back near the place where we began. Then 
came one of the bailiff's officers, and summoned T. 
Rudd to appear before him, which he did •, and the 
bailiff inquired by v/hat authority, or power, he preach- 
ed unto that people ? Thomas answered. By the au- 
thority of the Word of God, nigh in his heart, by 
which a necessity was laid upon him ; as it is written. 
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh ; and 
a good ina?iy out of the good treasure of his hearty bringeth 
forth good things. 

The bailiff^ being a moderate man, and trembling a 
little v/hilst he examined Thomas Rudd, though in 
the presence of many of the people, did not detain 
him long, but dismissed him without the least rebuke, 
or scurrility j after which, and a short exhortation to 
the people by J. Bowstead, and some few words to 
them by myself (being the first I had ever uttered in 
a publick manner) w^c departed thence. The two offi- 
cers, and a. multitude of the inhabitants, very lovingly 

condu'fting 

- -*- .' 



1691 THOMAS STORY. 59^ 

conducing us out of town to a green hill a little with- 
out, direfting us the way we inquired after Vvath great 
respeft. And when we were about a quarter of a mile 
gone frem them, the tender love of truth being much 
manifested in us, we were constrained thereby to look 
back, when we saw the multitude still standing on 
the hill looking after us, and that love flowed towards 
them, as from an open fountain : in the sense v/hereof 
we were tendered and broken. There will be a tender 
people there in time. 

We went to Dundee the same day, vvdiere Thomas 
Rudd preached through the streets, J. Bov/stead and 
I going with him. No incivility was there offered to 
us, save only that a soldier took Thomas Rudd by the 
arm, and bid him be silent ; but offered no further 
violence. Being come quite through the town in that 
service, the Lord dropped his peace upon us, and we 
went on In great joy and comfort in his good presence, 
being lovingly direfted on our way by one of the in- 
habitants. 

From hence we went to Montrose, Aberdeen, and 
Inverness, preaching In the streets of these, and other 
places, as we passed along : at times meeting with 
rough treatment ; nevertheless, through the secret 
over-ruling power of the Lord, were preserved from 
much personal hurt. We felt much love in our hearts 
to the people, and some listened to the testimony we 
had to deliver with attention, and expressed no small 
kindness to us. 

Whilst my companions were at Inverness, finding 
a concern upon me, I went to the house of William 
Falconer, an episcopal priest, at Forris, v/ho had been 
displaced some time before by the Presbyterians, Ro- 
bert Gerrard accompanied me ; there was one that 
was a steward to a noblem.an Vv^th him, and some 
ethers besides his ov/n family. He seemed to receive 
us with respeil, and after sitting quiet and inward a 
little, I had something concerning the many divisions 

in 



\ 






m LIFE OF 1692 

in the pretended Christian world ; to which I was an- 
swered, " That the bishop of Rome, under pretence 
•< of being the successor of Peter, and as such infalli- 
<< ble, hath usurped a diftatorship over the Christian 
«< world in matters of religion, and imposed a multi- 
•< tude of antichristian errors by unreasonable force 
<< upon mankind; but God, having com^mitted his 
•^ whole will unto writing in the Holy Scriptures, and 
«^ in the course of his Providence preserved them unto 
«^ us, we have our whole duty declared therein, as our 
•^ rule and guide in matters of religion ; so that we are 
«« not to expeft the manifestations of the spirit, as in 
<^ times past> that dispensation being now ceased." 

I replied, " That what he had said of the bishop 
<< of Rome was true, and that the Scriptures are the 
<* most excellent books extant ; which were given 
^^ from time to time by the word of the Lord, which 
«^ is the Spirit of Christ : but men may read and speak 
*« the truths contained in the Scriptures one to ano- 
«« ther, and the readers and speakers remain still igno- 
<^ rant of the word of the Lord, and of the things 
<^ themselves intended to be signified by the words ; 
<* and not been sent of God (as the Scriptures send no 
«^ man) cannot profit the hearers, but are themselves 
^^ transgressors in so doing, unless they were sent by 
<< the influence, power, and virtue of the same Word 
«« that did dictate the matters of the Scriptures unto 
«^ the Holy Penmen thereof; as appears by the 23d 
<^ chapter of the prophecy of Jeremiah. And then I 
" called for a bible and read : The prophet that hath a 
<« drearn^ let htm tell a dream ; and he that hath my 
^^ ivordy let hhn speak my ivord faithfully : ivhat is the 
^^ ^^'^iff ^^ ^^^ ivheat^ saith the Lot d ? Is not my word 
*^ like a fire J saith the Lord ; and like a hammer that 
<« breaketh the rock in pieces ? Therefore^ beholdy I am 
<^ ci^aifnt the prophets^ saith the Lord^ that steal my 
*^ ivordsj every one from his neighbour. Beholdj I am 
<^ against the prophets^ saith the Lord^ that use their 

** tonguesy 



1692 THOMAS STORY. 61 

*^ tongues^ and say^ He saith ; yet I sent them not^ nor 
^^ commanded them ; therefore they shall not profit this 
" people at all, saith the Lord. So that it is contrary 
*' to the declared mind of God, that any should use 
*^ his words to others, as his ministers, who are not 
^' sent by himself so to do ; for though they have h^ew 
<' his words unto others, those who use them without 
*^ his command, are cha g^ed by him as thieves ; espe- 
*^ cially such as make merchandize of them to the 
*' people. 

" As to the dispensation of the Spirit being now 
" ceased, I am sorry to hear it is so ; for I can shew 
*^ thee to whom it is so ceased, but not to the church 
<^ of Christ. Then I turned to the 3d chapter of the 
«^ prophecy of Micah, where it appears, that for the 
^Vignorance^ cruelty, and injustice of the princes or 
«^ heads of the people, the Lord Vv^ould not hear or 
^^ regard them. 

" But God is with his people still, as in former 
*^ times, according to the promise of his Son: If a 
^^ man love me^ he njnll hep my ivords ; and my Father 
^^ will love him, ojid lue luili come unto him^ and make 
^' our abode wth him^ More was said on the occa- 
sion, which the auditory heard with patience ; and we 
departed in peace and in friendship with them, and 
went to our inn. 

On the 4th of 1st month we came back to Urie, 
where we had a meethig among friends (as in divers 
other places) ; from whence Thomas Rudd went back 
to Aberdeen, and John Bowstead and I went on to 
Edinburgh. 

On the 13th we went to Linlithgow, and had a 
meeting among friends there: on the 15th to Hamil- 
ton, and had another there ; and on the 1 9th were at 
a meeting with friends in Glasgow, being the first day 
of the week, which was somewhat disturbed by three 
of the town officers, sent by the provost for ^that 
purpose : but through the good presence of the Lord 

F we 



62 LIFE OF 1693" 

v/e were much comforted and strengthened against it 
all. 

That afternoon we went back to Hamilton, where 
we found T. Rudd, who had been through the streets 
w^ith his usual message the same day 5 and (as we were 
told by some we met in the way) the people had abu- 
sed him very much. 

A little after we came to the town, the concern re- 
turned upon him, and reaching us, with several of the 
friends there, we went all into the streets, and Tho- 
mas Rudd proclaimed the same warning as before 5 
upon which a multitude of people issued into the 
streets, and were indifferent sober, till the town offi- 
cer came in a furious manner, and laid hold on Tho- 
mas Rudd, commanding him to go to his quarters, 
otherwise to the Tolbooth, their prison-house. And 
the rudeness of this man, in the presence of the mul- 
titude, so encouraged the baser sort, that they fell 
upon us, and inhumanly abused us ; but especially 
Thomas Rudd : likev/ise the next morning, he and 
John Bowstead, being concerned to go through the 
same tov/n again, were much abuvSed j but some so- 
ber and well-minded persons cried out, " Shame on 
^^ such proceedings," and used some endeavours to 
restrain them. The next morning he visited them in 
the like manner, and they were all still, and came not 
out any more to molest him : and tlien finding his 
concern in that place to be at an end, he departed in 
peace. 

On the 2 1 St of 1st month John Bov/stead and I set 
fcrvv-ard on our return home, and on the 24th came to 
our several habitations ; John to his family at Eglinby, 
in Cumberland, and I to my father's house at Justice 
Tov/n, in the same county ; being safely conduced 
and preserved through all dangers by the arm of the 
Lord. 

About this tim.e some of the parishioners of Scaleby, 
in Cumberland, were convinced of truth j and the 

priest 



1693 THOMAS STORY. 65 

priest of the parish wrote a letter to them, containing 
several false accusations, and reproaches against friends, 
and the divine light vi^e profess, which I answered. 

The time of the county meeting for Cumberland 
being come, John Banks, that good old and valiant 
soldier and warrior for the truth on earth, oiFered his 
service as a representative from the county, to the 
yearly-meeting at London j and the meeting thought 
lit to name me for the other, though I did not deem 
myself quaiined for the charge : but the meeting in- 
sisting upon it, by persuasions I yielded ; and the ra- 
ther, since I was to go with a companion so experien- 
ced and able in that service. We set forward on the 
11th of the 3d month 1693, and by several stages and 
meetings came to Edmonton on the 28th, where we 
had the satisfa£tion to meet with our eminent and 
lionourable friend, William Penn, which was the first 
time I saw him 5 and with whom, at that time, I con- 
Irafted so near a friendship in the life of truth, and 
tendering love thereof in many tears, as never v/ore 
out till his dying day ; and in which his memory still 
lives, as a sweet odour in my mind, as a faithful ser- 
vant of the Lord ; a man of God indeed in his time, 
of whom I shall have occasion to make further men- 
tion in the sequel. 

On the 4th of the 4th month, we arrived In London; 
and the Lord gave his church and people, there assem- 
bled from all parts of the nation, and from Scotland, 
Ireland, &c. many comfortable seasons of his divine 
life-giving presence, to our great edification, confirma- 
tion^ and rejoicing ; where I became nearly acquainted 
with divers of the most eminent elders of that day, 
to my great satisfaftion, and to theirs also ; for mu- 
tual love and esteem was not wanting, but adorned our 
conversation, as in the most early and primitive times. 
In a particular manner, I became nearly united, with 
my much esteemed friend Thomas Wilson, who was 
an able and powerful minister of the word of life ; 

and 



64 LIFE OF 1653 

and James Dickmson3 his usual companion, being en- 
gaged another way, he accepted of my company in 
visiting the west. We left London on the 24'th of 
4th month, and that day had a meeting at Uxbridge ; 
on the 26th at Wickham, and so by Oxford, where 
we had a comfortable open meeting : for though many 
of the collegians were there, who used to be rude in 
an extraordinary manner, yet, the invisible power of 
the word of life being over them at that time, they 
were quiet under the testimony thereof, in the authori- 
tative ministry of Thomas Wilson, whose voice was as 
thunder from the clouds, and with words penetrating 
as lightning, saying, " It is the pride, luxury, and 
<^ whoredoms of the priests now, as in the days of 
<^ Eli the high-priest, which deprives them of the open 
<^ vision of heaven." Upon which many of them were 
struck with amazement and surprise, and their eyes 
were filled with tears ; so that several of the elder sort 
retired, but in a decent manner, as if to hide the efFedl 
of truth ; which, if they had staid, could not have been 
concealed : but above all the rest, a young man, a very 
comely youth, who, by his appearance and behaviour, 
seem.ed to be the son of some noble person, was most 
deeply afFefled. 

On the 28th we w^ent to Cohi Aid wins, and from 
thence on the 3Gth to Bristol Here v/e staid till the 
2d of 5th month, w^here the Lord gave us glorious 
times, in the sensible enjoyment of his divine and 
soul-melting presence, to our general and mutual con- 
solation : for In those days, friends were near the Lord, 
and one another in him ; and the canopy of his love 
was over us, and we rejoiced together therein, but 
with holy fear and trembling ; and had often occasion 
to say, concerning the way of the Lord, as of old, 
*' He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a 
«^ flame of fire :" we had several meetings in the 
country, and returned to Bristol again, and on tl:^e 
15th v/ent to Bath, and were at their meeting. On 

the 



legs THOMAS STORY, 65 

the 24th we had a meeting at Thornbufy, in Glou- 
cestershire, and from thence proceeded homewards, 
through Worcester, &c. till we came to Penrith, from 
which my tender and fatherly companion went towards 
Hartley-Hall, and I returned to my father's house. 

Now, as to my own condition and circumstances 
in this journey, in a general way. Before this time, 
I was favoured with the knowledge and enjoyment of 
the life of truth ^ I had delighted therein above all 
things, and thereby was reduced to a state of silence ; 
not willing to interrupt the sweet and divine pleasure 
of his presence, by any needless and unprofitable talk 
upon mean and trifling matters, which I observed many- 
were ensnared in ; I was still so preserv^ed as in a state 
of childhood in the truth, without the least apprehen- 
sion of any censure : for though I usually sat with my 
companion in the meetings, and was much broken and 
tendered, from time to time, with an efflux of many 
tears, not of sorrow (which I had known long before) 
but of joy and satisfaction unspeakable, I never consi- 
dered what any might think of me^, as to the cause of 
my weepings or of any expeftation they^ might have 
of my appearance in a publick ministry, often, if not 
always, accompanied wnth such indications iiv the be- 
ginning of that concern. 

And, though I knew the Lord had called, and be- 
gun such a work in me, yet I Jiad never met v/ith any 
thing so great a cross to my natiaral disposition, as ap« 
pearing in publick 5. and, if I might have continued to 
enjoy the good presence of the Lord any other way, or 
, on any other terms, I had never submitted to it : but^ 
those divine wages I could not live without ; the coun- 
tenance of the Lord v/ss become my all, and too dear 
to part v/ith ; and therefore at length I yielded, with- 
out any manner af human considerations or views. 
But it is not to be forgot, that from the last time of 
^ur leaving Bristol, every stage we journeyed north- 
ward, my mind became darker and darker, and the 

y.^ thoughts- 



66 LIFE OF 1693 

thoughts of returning to my father's house became 
burdensome to me : and before I got thither, I was 
greatly clouded, as if a thick fog of darkness came 
over my mind : and then I mourned, looking back to 
times past, recounting every step, and the several vievi^s 
and openings of the things of God and his counsel, 
which I had seen and enjoyed in the several meetings 
in this journey •, and how the Lord, who is a spirit, 
exhibits the matters and things of his kingdom in the 
pure mind, which is spiritual, and impresses it with a 
necessity of uttering them : qualifying and assisting 
tlie instrument which he chooses, to bring them forth 
in an apt and intelligible manner, for the help, informa- 
tion, and consolation, of those who hear and believe ; 
wheiher in doftrine, exposition of the Holy Scriptures, 
leproof, instruction in morals, or whatsoever tends to 
the convincement of unbelievers, confirmation of the 
unstable, edification of the church, and body of Christ, 
-md perfefting the sanctified in him. 

And being fully convinced I had fallen short of my 
duty, by neglecting to utter the first sentences which 
liad been impressed upon my mind in several meetings, 
not thinking them of sufficient weight and importance 
ior publick service ; and now plainly perceiving, that 
through want of obedience, in that which was at first 
required, I had been precluded from any furtlier pro- 
gress 'j and in consequence of my disobedience, having 
been deprived of all sense of the divine presence for 
many days, and destitute of all comfort, save a little 
secret hope, that the Lord might mercifully return, I 
resolved, that if it might so please him, I would then 
obey ; and deeply mourning for some weeks, till all 
hope was near vanishing ; the heavens became as 
bra.s.s, and shut up as with bars of iron ; and nothing 
remained but a bare remembrance of former enjoy- 
inentjs, which nothing can give, restore, or continue, 
but the divine essential truth himself, by his own pre- 
sence and power. 

But 



1693 THOMAS STORY. 67 

But notwithstanding all this, when the Lord did 
again unexpeftedly appear, as divine love and light in 
my mind, and new matter presented in my understand- 
ing, I found that state so comfortable and pleasing^ 
that I thought nothing could be added to my enjoy- 
ment by uttering it in words, while in that condition •, 
and so let the proper time of moving therewith slip 
over : and the duty being anew negle£ted, I again fell 
short of a settlement in the divine presence ; and when 
that was withdrawn, condemnation only remained, as 
due to my fresh disobedience and negleft ; and then 
I was smTOunded again with black horror and despair, 
as if that had been the last call of the Lord, and latest 
offers of divine peace and salvation ; and my soul 
mourned again unspeakably : and then I understood 
the language of the apostle Paul, v/hen he. said, JVo is 
unto me if 1 preach not the gospeL 

And while I was in this condition, my much es- 
teemed friend, Thomas Wilson, imparted to m^e his 
intention of visithig the churches in Ireland, desiring 
my company ; but having so thick a cloud over my 
mind, and little love then appearing in me, either to 
him, or any otlw particular, or to mankind in gene- 
ral, I did not think myself in a condition for such an 
undertaking, and so declined it. 

But though this cloud remxained over me for a time, 
laying me under a necessity to stand still, to see what 
the Lord v/ould please to do \ yet his never- failing 
goodness and mercy did not finally leave me, but re- 
mained as withdrawn behind the thick veil, hid from 
me only for a season ; for in a meeting at Kirklington 
in Cmnberland on a first day some w^eeks after, the 
Lord returned in peace and reconciliation, and his di- 
vine countenance shined again upon me ; whereby I 
was enabled to resolve, that if the Lord moved any 
thing then, as in times past, I would obey. 

Scon after that resolution was firmly settled in my 
mind, sprang therein these words : It is a good day luito 

all 



68 LIFE OF 169S 

all those that obey the voice of the Lord : and as they set- 
tled in my mind with the presence of the Lord remain- 
hiofj 1 stood up and uttered them in his fear, with a 
voice just so audible, as that the meeting generally 
heard : and no vSooner were the words uttered, than 
my S(^ul was increased in joy unspeakable, which was 
folioWed with an efflux of a flood of tears from that 
root ; and the meeting in general was immediately af- 
fecled the same way, as a seal of the work of the Lord 
thus brought forth in me ; and all were silent under 
the canopy of the d vine pi*esence for some time. At 
length John Bowstead (having had a particular con- 
cern to come to that meeting, about eight miles) stood 
up in testimony to the truth of what I had uttered, 
making it the substance of what he said, to general 
edification ; and as a father, taking the weak by the 
hand, and helping forward in that exercise, in which 
I had been long waited for, and expefted by friends 
in general in those p-^.rts : and the Lord favoured us 
with the enjoyment of his divine presence that day. 
After the meeting was over I returned to my father's 
house, restored to a sense of the goodness of the Lord ; 
and thenceforward^ from time to time, appeared in a 
few words in meetings, as jhe Lord made way, and 
gave miatter, strength and utterance ; but was not for- 
ward to visit any other m.eeting, till I began to be a 
little shut up there ; and then I waited on the Lord, 
to know the drawings of his love to some other places, 
in which I was favoured through his divine goodness y 
and yet did not make haste, but v/as kept under a slow, 
gentle, and gradual progress. 

And now a temptation of another kind began to in- 
terrupt me ; for, having had a reputation in that coun- 
try of an understanding at least equal to my education 
and years, when my acquaintance and others heard o£ 
my appearance in a publick ministry, they expected 
something more from me than from some others, of 
whom they had not conceived tbe like opinion \ and 

I, knowing 



1693 THOMAS STORY. 6Q 

I, knowing the way of truth with me was not in the 
wisdom and multiplicity of v/ords, but in its ov/n vir- 
tue and simplicity^ and in a few sentences only, was 
not willing of myself to yield up my own imaginary 
honour on that account, and be exposed as a fool in 
their w^ay of judging; which afFefted me so, at that 
I became backward to appear when such were present, 
and sometimes neglecled the proper times of the mov- 
ings of the Lord in this calling : by which I retarded 
my growth therein, and was in danger of greater loss 
that way. But the Lord is just and merciful; and 
though he charged it as a failure, yet, by degrees, he 
helped me forward, though it v/as a long time before 
I got over it ; for it laid sometimics as a block in my 
way for many years after, remaining the unmoved 
cause of many a heavy load ; which none knew, or 
could ease me of, but the Lord alone ; and, if he had 
not extended mercy, I had yet been undone for ever. 
After this, my uneasiness in my father's house in- 
creasing, I took an occasion one morning to remind 
him of the change of his countenance and behaviour 
towards me, and of the many hints and oblique in- 
timations he had thought fit to give concerning my 
way of living in the world (as if I was like to be 
chargeable to him) by my not following the practice 
of the law into which I had been initiated, but had 
now declined it. I told him, that he could not charge 
me with any aft of disobedience to him from my 
childhood, or the neglect of any duty, save now at last 
my embracing the truth of God, as my only way to 
salvation ; in which case he had no right to command 
or hinder, but rather to consider his own ways and 
state, and how far just and pleasing in the sight of 
God; to whom I must ;answer for myaelf, where he 
could not for me : and then added, that I intended to 
leave his house in a short time^ and make him easy 
on that account. 

Ti:s 



To LIFE OF 1693 

This touched my dear father so near, that he could 
not bear it, but wept abundantly •, confessing that I 
had ever been a dutiful child to him, and had never 
disobliged him, save in that thing only, nor did he be- 
grudge any thing in his power to do for me ; but as 
he had brought me up to the law so far, he thought it 
might have been a way of living in the world, both 
plentiful and reputable, but could not now see any 
reasonable means of a competent subsistence, with 
that reputation which my circumstances required, af- 
ter the appearance I had begun to make among man- 
kind, before I espoused those principles I now seemed 
too much attached to. However, he made me this 
proposal, as the best he could then think of, viz. That 
I should manage his estate to the best advantage I 
could, and take all the incomes to myself, save a re- 
putable subsistence to himself, and my mother-in-law, 
his wife. To this I returned him my dutiful acknow- 
ledgment, but told him it was now too late •, I was 
fixed in another resolution, under a view of a different 
nature, and could not subjeft myself to such a con- 
finement, if he would, on such terms, give me his 
whole estate for ever ; but withal assured him, that I 
did not leave him under any discontent, or resentment 
of any behaviour he had used towards me, which he 
had a right to do, according to his views and mean- 
ing ; but that I had an inducement for my departure, 
which probably he could not rightly apprehend, or be- 
lieve, if 1 should declare it ; which was no other, in 
my own concealed mind, than more perfeft liberty to 
serve the Lord, and his people, in the v/ay of the call- 
ing of God, wh'xli was gradu:illy increasing at that 
time upon me j and I v/as now grown a little stronger 
in the ministry, and more experienced in the exercise 
of the, gift of God therein. 

Not long after this, Aaron Atkinson acquainted me 
with his concern to visit friends in some South and 

West 



1694 THOMAS STORY. 71 

West parts of England ; and as we had, from the time 
of my johiing with frivends, been very intunate, and 
near in the truth and love of it, I was also willing to 
travel in the same way ; but he being ready sooner 
than I could be, went before up to London, where he 
staid for me ^ and on the 22d of 1 Ith month 1694, I 
took leave of my father and his family, and set forward 
for London, taking some meetings by the way, as they 
happened of course to fall out ; for I did not think pro- 
per to appoint any, my thoughts of my own n)inistry be- 
ing very low ; yet the Lord favoured me with his good- 
ness and encouraging presence, and made v/ay for me 
every where, and gave me several open and comfort- 
able times with friends in my journey, particularly at 
Liecester, though altogether a stranger as to outward 
acquaintance with any one. 

On the 2d of 12th month, I arrived at London, 
where at that time was a great body of friends, well 
established in the truth, and many meetings, and a 
good number of able ministers among them ; as W. 
Penn, G. Whitehead, S. Waidenfield, W. Bingly, 
J. Vaughton, J. Field, F. Stamper, J. Bowater, Ja. 
Park, and many others of the younger sort. 

I was kept very low in my mind, and circumspeft, 
having no courage of my own to appear in publick : 
but the Lord, knowing my weakness, integrity and 
simplicity, supported my mind •, and that which add- 
ed much to my encouragement Vv- as, the fatherly care 
and behaviour of the ministers in general, but espe- 
cially of that able minister of the gospel W. Penn. 

In this city I remained with my companion, in the 
service of truth and friends, according to our several 
measures and attainm*ents, until the SOth of 12th 
month ; and that day we had a meeting at Wands- 
worth, the next day at Kingston, and from thence 
went to divers other places, and had meetings, till we 
came to Bristol, on the 12th of 1st month 1695. 
From thence we went into some adjacent counties, 

and 



72 LIFE OF 1695 

and had meetings, and on the 22d of 2d month re- 
turned to Bristol, where, lodging at our ancient friend 
Richard Snead's, one morning the canopy of the di- 
vine presence came over us in the family, and brought 
us into right silence .for a time; and then the Holy 
Spirit of prayer and supplication came upon us : and 
whilst we were in that exercise, W. Penn came into 
the room, and joined with us; and, after him, that 
ancient and eminent minister of the Lord Jesus, Roger 
Haydock, and some others following them, were fa- 
voured with the same visitation and good presence of 
the Lord our God, and the enjoyment of him together 
in the beloved, to our great refreshment and consola- 
tion. This good season being over for the time, we 
had sweet and agreeable unity and conversation toge- 
ther ; which proved a great strength and encourage- 
nient to my companion and me, to be thus favoured 
in the sight of those elders ; who, by their free and 
fatherly behaviour towards us then, and from that time 
forward, declared a firm and settled friendship in the 
truth, which never waxed old, or decayed. 

On the 2 6 til we were at the meeting at Marshfield, 
and from thence proceeded on our journey, having 
meetings, till we came to London, on the 8th of Sd 
month. 

In this journey, though we were not v/ithout tempt- 
ations and exercises of divers kinds, yet the Lord was 
near to preserve us ; and, through his divine grace, 
gave us many open, comfortable, and edifying times, 
in the assemblies of his people ; and in divers families, 
as also in conversation ; for the fear of the I^ord was 
over us, and we did not delight in vain and unprofit- 
able talk, but were kept solid ; but not cast down, or 
unconversibie. 

At London we parted ; Aaron went back into Cum- 
berland, and I remained m the city, and entered into 
busi-^ess there for my necessary subsistence; for my 
father had not bestowed any thing upon me at parting. 

Friends 



1696 THOMAS STORY. Y3 

Friends in London knowing my intention of settling 
there (at least for some time) and that I desired to be 
employed in conveyancing, drawing of settlements, 
and other publick writings of all sorts, as occasion 
might ofFer ; which was a business I was acquainted 
with, and also the least confining of any I could think 
of, and was fitted for •, this succeeded so well, by the 
blessing of God, that, in a short time, I had more 
business than I could do myself; and soon came into 
a reputable and plentiful way of living ; for which I 
was truly thankful to the Lord, who thus provided for 
me in a way I had not foreseen ; but had fully trusted 
in him, that I should not want, though without 
any particular prospect how I should be supported 
when 1 left my father's house to follow the Lord m^ore 
fully, and enjoy his divine peace, than I found I could 
do there. 

I kept close to meetings and to business, in their 
proper vicissitudes ; and the countenance of the Lord 
was with me. About this time George Keith, that 
apostate from the truth of God, once made known to 
him, made great disturbances in ami about London, as 
he had done before in divers parts of America ; endea- 
vouring to impose some unprofitable, hurtful, and false 
notions of his own and others upon friends, contend- 
ing fiercely about them ; and had also obtained some 
regard from envious and prejudiced persons of divers 
^ects and societies. 

In 1696 I was concerned in the love of truth, to 
visit the meetings in a general way, in the north of 
England, and likewise in Scotland ; and in discharge 
of that duty, set forward from London on the 6th or 
7th of 5th month, accompanied by Henry Atkinson, 
who was at that time a very tender and hopeful young 
man, but had not appeared in a publick ministry. We 
went by Watford -, where I made a visit to the Coun- 
tess of Carlisle (intending to have seen the Earl, but 
he was gone to London) and she received me v/ith re- 

G spe£l. 



74 LIFE OF 1696 

speft, none being present but Helen Fairly, who had 
been her gentlewoman ; but having been lately con- 
vinced, another was then in her place. The Countess 
asked me divers questions concerning the way of truth, 
as professed by us ; of the sacraments, commonly so 
called, and of women's preaching ; to which I an- 
swered in much plainness, and I believe to her satis- 
"faftion; viz. 

" As to the two sacraments ; the national church 
<^ owns. That a sacrament is an outward and visible 
^^ sign of an inward and spiritual grace ; and if it is a 
<« sign, it cannot be the thing signified. That grace, 
«f of which those symbols are called signs, hath appear- 
*^ ed, and doth appear unto all men •, as well where 
<« those signs are used, as where they are not used, or 
«« heard of; so that there can be no advantage in the 
^' use of such signs, but in that grace, which through 
«' ChrivSt is given of the Father unto all men, being a 
<< divine a£live principle and power •, illuminating, in- 
«« stru6i;ing, and guiding the minds of all that believe 
^^ therein, into all truth necessary for the salvation of 
<^ the soul. And the great God, Creator of heaven 
<^* and earth, is no respefter of persons, in his dispen- 
<« sations of grace to the children of men ; but gives 
<« more or less, as it pleases him, but to every one 
*' that which is sufficient j and hath no regard or dis- 
<« regard therein to those distinctions, formed and im- 
«< posed by mortals, one upon another in this world ; 
«« so that, high and low, rich and poor, jioble and ig- 
*« noble, have all grace sufficient for their salvation, if 
«' they believe herem, and obey, as it is written, By 
^' grace ye are saved through faith ^ and that not of your^ 
«« selves^ it is the gift of God, Yet you who are great 
«« in this world, are in most danger, because of the 
« cares, riches, pleasures, honours, and glory of it : 
<c for as the Most High regardeth none of these things, 
«* but considers you only as others of mankind ; these 
<< high stations and circumstances delude your hearts 

a by 



1696 THOMAS STORY. 75. 

by their glittering delights, and betray you into a 

forgetfulness of God your Creator, and a negleft of 

the gift of his grace which is in you, though the 

Lord is not wanting to you in his kind and merciful 

admonitions and reproofs in your minds : and though 

you are sometimes brought thereby into inward and 

deep considerations of your ways, your latter end, 

^ and a future state, as others are •, yet you are under 

' great disadvantages through the eminence of your 

^ station and circumstances in the world, being there- 

^ by placed out of the reach of the conversation and 

^ information of the true and sincere ministers of the 

^ Lord Jesus, who, as they love you truly, through 

his grace would deal plainly, yet discreetly with 

you, for the sake and redemption of your precious 

^ souls, without any fallacy, or mean mercenary end, 

* or other terrene view. But it is lam.entable to see 

* and consider, that when the grace of God, as it is 
^ the divine light of his presence through the Lord 
:* Jesus Christ, letteth you see yourselves, and the er- 
^ ror of your ways, and brings remorse over you^ and 

a secret humiliation and sadness into your minds, 

* appearing sometimes in your aspefts and behaviour 5 
^ when none of your pastimes, enjoyments, or diver- 

* sions, have any relish, or afford any satisfaction at 
all : then instead of the counsel and help of such as 

^ have kno^m this word of reproof, and walked in the 
^ path of life eternal, to dire£t you in the way which 
^ leads to the kingdom of God, and to that eternal 
^ and unrjpeakable glory, the beatiiick vision of his 
^ countenance, which never ends, as all this world, 
^ and the glory and pleasures of it do, even in a mo- 
^ ment, and are known no more ; you have two sorts 
^ of men near you, by whose ignorance, self views, 
^ and flattery, you are in more danger of everlasting 
^ ruin than those in lower stations. For, in times of 
f humiliation, when you are fittest for the teachings 
^ of God, as it is written, The htimhle he moill teach^ 

« and 



76 LIFE OF 1696 

** and the meek he will guide in judgment ; then your 
^^ priests say> you are melancholy ; a ball, or other 
*^ unchristian-like diversion, must be promoted, and 
<* your physicians must give physick to your bodies •, 
«^ when, alas ! the sickness is in the soul, and they 
" know it not, and can never be cured, but by the 
«^ physician of value, the High Priest of God, and Sa- 
<^ viour of the soul, who first slays in it the vain and 
«^ sinful life of the world, in which all the evils thereof 
«^ do dwell, and then breathes into it life eternal, the 
" life of Jesus the Son of God, who never fell. 

** And as to women's preaching, it ought to be im- 
** partially observed, that the intelle£lual powers be- 
<^ ing alike common to male and female, and the nature 
*' of the mind the same in both, consequently suscepti- 
^^ ble of the like and same impressions. And accord- 
<^ ingly, the Almighty, pointing at the dispensation of 
" the gospel, by Joel the prophet, saith, I will pour out 
^^ my Spirit upon alljleshy and your sons and your daugh^ 
«^ iers shall prophesy. Again, Upon the servants and 
<^ upon the handmaids^ in those days will I pour out my 
<« Spirit. And by the word prophecy is understood 
♦* by all interpreters, preaching the gospel ; and this 
" prophecy took place in the church of Christ at the 
<< coming of the Holy Ghost (or Christ in Spirit at 
«^ Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost) : where, if no 
« woman spake (though we have no express account 
« that any did) the apostle Peter did not apply that 
" text properly, and without exception •, which we are 
^* not to suppose. 

<« I conclude therefore, with truth, that women 
« both may and ought to preach, under the^ gospel 
<« dispensation, when the Spirit of the Lord is upon 
" them, and they are thereunto called, and qualified 
« thereby ; and many such we have now among us, 
« very acceptable in their ministry : so that we know 
« by experience, that they are sent of God, accord- 
« ing to the various degrees of their gifts, as well 

" as 



1696 THOMAS STORY. 11 

*< as the men^ and receive them accordhigly in the 
"Lord.'* 

She heard what I said with candour and patience, 
and I took leave of her with great isatisfaclion of mind. 
And this visit being over, I returned to the house of 
our friend Alice Hayes ; where I related the passage, 
with other circumstances here omitted, to several 
friends there at that time, which well afFefted them ; 
and we were favoured with the divine presence on the 
occasion, and had a comfortable time together in 
prayer : after which we went to Albans, v/here we 
had appointed a meeting that afternoon. After which 
we went to Hartford, from thence to Hare-street, and 
being at the house of John Etteridge, a concern camfe 
upon our minds, and he being m.uch spent in a con- 
sumption, uttered a few sentences, ^^ concerning a day 
** coming on apace, wherein the Lord would gather 
^* many as from the four winds, a numberless num- 
^« ber, to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 
" in the kingdom of God, in divine rest and peace.'^ 
After prayer, we departed greatly comforted \ as also 
were the friends of the family. 

On the 22th, being first day of the week, we were 
at Cambridge, and the meeting was peaceable. From 
thence went by Huntington, Stilton, Warnsford, to 
Nottingham; and on the 15th to Bal borough-hall, and 
lodged with Sir John Rhodes, Baronet, wlio, being 
convinced of truth very young, embraced the same 
under the cross, forsaking all the honour of this world, 
and the friendship of it^ for that honour which is of 
God only, and the friendship and fellov/ship of the 
faithful and sanftified in Christ, of whom he is be- 
loved and honoured in the truth, as worthy. 

Thence we went to Sheffield, and by several stages 
into Cumberland, and on the 5th of 6th m.onth were 
at the Border meeting. On the 7rh we began our 
journey into Scotland ^ were at Kelso, Edinburgh, 
and on the 14ith at the widow Barclay's at Urie; 

G 2 from 



78 LIFE OF 1696 

from thence v/ent to Inverary, Kilmuck, and Aber- 
deen, and had meetings in a good degree to satisfac- 
tion. 

On the 24th returned to Urie, where we staid till 
the 26th, and had then a meeting, which was heavy 
for some time, but ended in a more Hvely state ; for 
which we were thankful, and the next morning we 
had a meeting in the family, where we were comfort- 
ed together, in the springing in of the love of our 
heavenly Father ; and it was much to our satisfa£lion 
to find his divine presence so near them, not only then, 
but also on the 6th and 7th days following : for they 
have a meeting every morning among themselves. 

On the 29th we went to William Napier's ; and 
next day, being the first of the week, were at the 
meetings at Montrose ; in the afternoon meeting se- 
veral people came in, and I said many things to them 
appertaining to salvation ; but they did not seem to be 
weary or heavy laden, or fit for the cross of Christ, 
nor sensible of any want. 

We went from hence to Kennoway, and the next 
morning, being 1st day of the 7th month, to King- 
horn, in order to pass over to Leith, where we found 
a ferry-boat ready to put ofi^ from the shore, in which 
were several passengers, and among the rest an episco- 
pal priest : and, as soon as he perceived what we were, 
he fell into a rage, and endeavoured to keep us out of 
the vessel, and disappoint us of our passage ; which he 
seemed more bold in, under the countenance of a young 
gentleman in the boat ; but I soon gave him to under- 
stand we were not to be imposed upon in that point : 
;ind, insisting on our passage, required the boatman to 
take in our horses, and we stepped in after them j and 
then his spirit fell, when he saw our resolution and 
) management, and that the gentleman did not oppose 
us : and the priest becoming more calm, so did the 
wind, which had retarded our passage. 

After 



1696 THOMAS STORY. 79 

After a while, perceiving the spirit of the man to 
be overcome and quieted, I spake to him concerning 
his passions, and enmity against us without any cause *, 
putting him in mind how inconsistent such a behaviour 
is with Christianity, of which I supposed him to be a 
professor, if not a professed teacher : and that reUgion 
requires all the professors of it to be kind to strangers : 
and that though he was equally a stranger to us, as we 
to him, yet since we were strangers in his native coun- 
try, that character belonged more properly to us. This 
calm reasoning with him, in the grace of God, had so 
good an efFeft, that he confessed his fault, and desired 
it might be passed by ; which was freely granted : and 
then, as we stood together by the side of the vessel, 
he became very kind and familiar, and told me he was, 
by profession, an episcopal minister, but displaced, 
and deprived of his living by the Presbyterians at the 
Revolution. 

Then I informed him, that I had been of the same 
profession of religion ; that my nearest relations were 
so still, and my elder brother a dean of the episcopal 
church j the manner of my own education •, my leav- 
ing the profession of the law, as not consisting with 
the calling of God in the concern I was then about ; 
and yet, casting myself on his Providence, I wanted 
nothing. After which I advised him, that since in the 
course of Providence he was divested of his bread, in 
the way he had chosen for himself, he had best now 
to lean upon the arm of the Lord for his subsistence, 
in a way which might be shewn him, in some honest 
employment, in case he should look no more back to 
his former course or dependance : and all I said he 
heard with temper-, and said, he believed I wished 
him well therein. After this, I had some conversation 
with the young gentleman, and they both continued 
very sociable till we went on shore, when parting 
with them in friendship, we went forward to Edin- 
burgh. 

Here 



80 LIFE OF 1696 

Here we rested, and after visiting friends in their 
houses on the sixth and seventh days preceding, were 
at the meetings on first day j in which many of the 
better sort were very sober and attentive. 

On the 7th we went to Linlithgow, and the next 
morning the Lord favoured us with his heart-tendering 
presence, with a few of his gathered people there. On 
the 11th we had a meeting at Glasgow; where came 
a great many collegians, along with a mob of other 
people •, they were very rude, both in words and ac- 
tions. But being reproved at that time in the word of 
life, they were a little more sober for a while ; but 
growing rude again, a soldier, who had been in the 
meeting most of the time, reprehended them sharply, 
saying, " That if any thing was said they did not like, 
<^ they might let it alone ; but if it was right, why did 
<^ they not receive it ?" 

They said nothing in answer to the soldier, neither 
to us did they make any obje&lon : and towards the 
conclusion of the meeting, my companion expressed 
some edifying matters, in great humility and tender- 
ness, that was acceptable to the sensible part •, which 
was the second time he had appeared that way, and, 
after all the rude endeavours to disturb us, the meet- 
ing ended in divine peace, and in a sense of the love 
and goodness of the Lord ; which is a present as well 
as future reward, far exceeding all that can be suffer- 
ed for it in this life. On the 12th, being the sixth of 
the week, we went to Askeen, to our friend William 
Simson's, where we had a very ha-d meeting ; and the 
next morning went back to Glasgow, where we staid 
till the first day, and then had two very hard meetings : 
for though those who came to the meetings were out- 
wardly civil, yet so strong was the power of darkness, 
and so great the enmity against the life of truth, that 
we were that night greatly loaden in our spirits, and 
rested but little. 

The 



1696 THOMAS STORY. 81 

The next morning we went to Hamilton, and in the 
evening had a meeting there, which was very poor 
and low, for things were then in a declining condition 
at that place ; from whence we set forward on the 
16th for Cumberland, where we arrived on the 18th 
following, in good health, through the mercy and 
goodness of the Lord. 

In this journey through Scotland we were present- 
ed, in several places, with instances of the irreligion 
and cruelty of the Presbyterians of that nation ; which 
demonstrated them to be of the same persecuting spirit 
of the'r brethren in * New-England. 

Having finished these remarks on our journey in 
Scotland, I return to Cumberland ^ where, having 
visited most of the meetings, in the space of about two 
months, we set forward from thence on the 7th of 
10th month, and that evening went to Jacob Moor's, 
at Welgill in Alston Moor; a wild mountainous 
country, and in a time of hard frost and deep snow. 
On the 8th we were favoured of the Lord with a very 
open and comfortable meeting, the Lord's tendering 
presence being with us ; and, after the meeting, we 
went about three miles further to West Alandale, 



* Between the years i<^56 and t66t, a violent and merciless per- 
secution was exercised by the Presbyterian government in New-Eng« 
land. Several laws and declarations bei g published, with several pen- 
alties annexed, against any Quakers being allowed to land or live with- 
in that colony ; in consequence of which, the rage of blind zeal, and 
furioui> bigotry, rose as high as in the worst and darkest times ; so that 
a great number of innocent and peaceful persons were cruelly impri- 
soned, and barbarously used, without any regard either to sex or age : 
many were starved in gaols, and inhuman^ beat and whipped \%dth 
knotted cords, and pitched ropes ; others suffered by grievous fines, 
confiscations, and loss of ears; and three persons viz. William Ro- 
bertson, Marmaiuke Stevenson ard Mary Dyer, were executed on 
the gallows in 165 9: and William Ledra in 166 [ : none of which ap- 
peared guilty of any fault, but the exerci'>e of their religious duties. 
Where this hot persecution would liave ended i^^ uDknown, had not 
King Charles II. interposed his royal authority and put an end to it 
by his letter, dated at Whitehall the 9th of September 1661. 

where 



82 LIFE OF 1696 

where in the evening came to us several friends, and, 
among others, our ancient friend Cuthbert Feather- 
stone. And as we were conversing together in that 
friendship which the Lord begets in those who are his, 
he drev/ our minds under the canopy of divine silence, 
in which remaining for a time, we had a heavenly visi- 
tation of his soul-melting goodness together •, and I 
observing the tears to trickle down from the eyes of 
our ancient friend upon his clothes, was greatly afFeft- 
ed with love towards him from the same cause j and 
had this hope and confidence upon that occasion, that 
as I then observed the Lord was as near his children 
in old age, who had served him faithfully from the 
time of their visitation, as when he first revealed him- 
self through his Son the Lord Jesus, in their own 
hearts •, so he would be with me ah o in advanced 
years, if I proved faithful and true to the Lord, and 
attained to that degree. 

This encouragement, in the beginning of our jour- 
ney, by that tender season in the presence of the Lord, 
is not to be forgotten, but had in lasting remembrance, 
to the praise of the Lord our God, the giver of every 
good and perfeft gift, and the life and length of the 
days of his redeemed and saved people. On the 9th 
we went to East Alandale, and the next day to Steele, 
where we met with our friend Archibald Gillespie, 
who had been my school-fellow when we were boys, 
and had embraced the Presbyterian notions in the 
time of his youth ; but, being visited of the Lord, 
had obeyed from the heart, and was become a sincere 
and valuable friend, adornin j: his profession by an in- 
nocent and upright life and conversation. He went 
'with us, about thirteen miles, to Benfield Side; and 
the next evening had a meeting at Iviston, which was 
but dull and cloudy ; but we had learned in some mea- 
sure, not only how to abound, but also how to be con- 
tent and subjeft under a lesser degree : and to do the 

harder, 



1696 THOMAS STORY. 83 

harder, as well as the more easy, part of the service 
of the Lord, our good and righteous Master. 

On the 12th we went to Newcastle, and were at the 
meeting there next day \ and Sir Thomas Liddel, of 
Ravensworth Castle, having taken notice of me, on 
some occasion, at his house, before I frequented the 
meetings of friends *, and hearing of my present pro- 
fession, and being a person of great civility and can- 
dour, he had desired a friend of Newcastle to invite 
me to Ravensworth to dine with him, when at any 
time I might happen to come that way ; which the 
friend informing me of, I went accordingly, accom- 
panied by him and another, and we were kindly and 
respectfully received by him and his son, with v/hom 
we had much conversation, in a very friendly manner, 
till near night. Among other things he told us, *^ He 
^^ had a great respecl for us as a people, and liked our 
*^ way, being sensible cf that principle of divine light 
" and truth we professed , but he commonly vv'ent to 
^^ the Presbyterian meeting : and then he asked me, 
^^ whether a man might not serve and worship God 
*' in his mind, among any sort of people, though he 
^' might differ from them in his sentiments in some 
^^ points, and in his secret judgment like the way of 
*^ some other people better." Thus, perceiving he 
was convinced of the way of truth in his understand- 
ing, and that he stumbled at the cross, and the mean- 
ness of the appearance of friends, I answered, ^« That 
*^ the Lord Jesus Christ said, Whosoever shall deny me 
♦^ before men^ him also nxnll 1 deny before my Father and 
** the holy angels : and, the apostle also saith, JVith the 
*^ heart man believeth unto righteousness^ and with the 
^^ mouth confession is made unto salvation.^* 

They heard me with patience \ but what I said gave 
no countenance to the way in which this great man 
had chosen to conceal himself, and his real sentiments, 
from the world : but I found it to be my place and 
duty to be plain with him, according to all that was 

presented 



84 LIFE OF 1696 

presented in my mind on that occasion, that I might 
keep my own peace which remained in me. ' He 
told m.e he had read some of William Penn's Works, 
and would willingly ride an hundred miles to see him. 
In the evening, when we inclined to return to New- 
castle, he took his horse, and accompanied us till we 
came near the town, and we parted in free and open 
friendship. 

On the 16th of the 10th month, we had a meeting 
at Shields, 17th at Sunderland, and so on to York, 
Lincoln, Spalding, Lynn, Edmoiidsbury, and Colches- 
ter. From hence to Kelvedon, and on the 28th we 
returned to London with thankful hearts, and acknow- 
ledgments to the Lord our God, who, by the hand of 
his good Providence, preserved us in this journey 
through many exercises and dangers, both of body 
and mind, to his own high praise ; to whom be do- 
minion, glory and thanks, now and for ever. 

Continuing in London, it happened that Peter the 
Great, Czar of Muscovy, was there, and Gilbert 
Mollison (Robert Barclay's wife's brother) having 
heard that a kinsman of his was in the Czar's service ; 
and being desirous to increase the knowledge of the 
truth, requested me to go with him, in quest of his 
kinsman, to the Czar's residence, a large house at the 
bottom of York-buildings ; intending at the same time 
to present some books, which might fall under the 
Czar's notice. When we came to the place, Gilbert 
inquired of the porter after his cousin, but could not 
hear any thing of him in the lower apartments, but 
was desired to stay till further inquiry was made in the 
house •, and a servant went up stairs to that end, and 
when returned, invited us up. The head of the stair- 
case on the first floor brought us to the entrance of a 
long passage, which went through the middle of the 
ho us-', and there stood a single man at a large window 
at the further end, to whom we were diredied for in- 
telligence : and, as we passed along, we observed two 

tall 



1697 THOMAS StORY. 85 

tall men walking in a large room on the right hand, 
but we did not stop to look at them ; for supposing 
one of them to be the Czar, of whom I had heard that 
he was not willing to be looked upon, and, caret ul not 
to offend him, we behaved with CaUtion, and went di- 
re6tly to the person standing at the-window, of whom 
G. Mollison inquired after his kinsman, and he told 
us such a person had been in the Czar's service, but 
v/us dead. 

In the mean time came the Czar, and the other to 
us •, the Czar spoke something to the person with 
whom we had conversed, which we did not under- 
stand : upon which he asked us, Why do you not pay 
respe£t to great persons, when you are in their pre- 
sence ? I answered, ^* So we do, especially to king* 
^^ and princes ^ for though we have laid aside, and de- 
^^ cline all vain and empty shows of respe£t and duty, 
^^ and flattering titles, whereby they are generally de- 
*^ ceived by insincere and designing men, who seem to 
'^ admire them for their own ends ; yet we yield all 
"^f due and sincere respect and duty to such, and all in 
'« authority under them, by giving ready obedience tt* 
«^ all their lav/ful commands ^ but when at any time 
'^ any of them, either through tyranny or ignorance, 
*^ or ill counsel, happens to command any thing con-- 
" trary to our duty to the Almighty, then we offer our 
" prayers and tears to God, and humble addresses unto 
^^ such rulers, that their understandings may be open-- 
^' ed, and their minds changed tov/ards uo.''' 

The Czar gave no reply to tliis, but talked Vv^th hij 
interpreter again, wdio then asked, ^^ Of what use can 
'* you be in any kingdom or government, seeing you 
" will not bear arms, and light ?'^ 

To this I replied, " That many of us had borne 
" arms in times past, and been in many battles, and 
^* fought with courage, and thought it lawful, and a 
^« duty then, in days of ignorance ; and I myself had 
«* worn a sword, and other arms, and knew how to 

H ^^U3- 



83 LIFE OF 1G97 

*^ use them ; but when it pleased God to reveal in our 
'^ hearts the life and power of Jesus Christ, his Son, 
^^ our Lord, who is the Prince of Righteousness and 
*' Peace, whose commandment is love ; w^e were then 
*^ reconciled unto God, one unto another, unto our 
*^ enemies, and unto all men. And he that command- 
*^ ed that we should love our enemies, hath left us no 
*^ right to fight and destroy, but to convert them. And 
*' yet we are of use, and helpful in any kingdom or 
^^ government •, for the principle of our religion pro- 
^* hibits idleness, and efxcites to industry : as it is writ- 
*^ ten, T/:ey shall beat their si'jords into plough shares^ a?id 
*^ their spears into priuinig hcols : and we being hus- 
^^ bandm.en, concerned in all manner of husbandry 
^' and improvements, as likewise in manufaclory and 
*^ merchandizing, vvith the blessing of heaven upon 
*^ our labours, do not want, but rather abound. And 
*' though we are prohibived arms and lighting, as in- 
•* consistent (we tliink) with the rules of the gospel of 
^< Christ ; yet we can and d.o^ by his example, readily 
*^ and chearfully pay unto every government, in every 
** form, where we happen to be subje£ls, such sums 
<< and assessments as are required of us by the respec- 
♦* tive laws under which we live." 

L^'pon which the Czar took several turns in the pas- 
sage, and then came and looked stedfastly upon us, 
though we did not seem to mind him, or to know that 
it was he. Then I said to the interpreter, « That w^e 
^^ understood there was a person of great distinflion 
'' in that place, a stranger, very inspe£!:ious into tlie 
<^ state of affairs and things in general \ and, no doubt, 
" m.ight be also inquisitive into the state of religion \ 
^^ and we, being a people differing in some points from 
*^ all others, and so much mnsunderstood and misre- 
^^ presented in our own country, that even our neigh- 
^* hours themselves did not know us : lest that great 
<^ prince should be misinformed and imposed on con- 
*« ccrning us and our religion, we had brought him 

" some 



1697 THOMAS STORY. 87 

" some books, dedicated to the sovereign of our native 
" country ; by v/hich he might see a full account of 
" our principles.'*' 

We then produced two of the Apologies in Latin ; 
upon which the Czar talked again with the interpreter, 
who asked us, " Were not these books writ by a Je- 
<^ suit ? It is said there are Jesuits among you." To 
which G. Mollison replied, " That is a calumny, and 
*^ proves the necessity of our endeavours in that re- 
^^ spe£t at this tim.e. We have no Jesuits among us ; 
" our reiii^ion and theirs differ very widely. This 
^* book was wrote by a near relation of mine, who VvMS 
*' not a Jesuit, but sincerely of those principles assert- 
*^ ed and maintained in the book, as our whole com- 
«^' munity is." 

Then the Czar and interpreter talked together, after 
which the latter took some gold out of his pocket, and 
offered us for the books. But I told them, ^^ we were 
*^ no such men, as to want any thing for the books, or 
<^ otherwise ; they were a present to that great prince, 
^^ and given freely : and all that we desired was, that 
" they might be acceptable •, and that in case any of 
*^ our friends should at any time hereafter come into 
**' his country, and preach those principles contained 
*^ in the books, and if they should meet with opposi- 
^^ tion, and be persecuted by any oiiicers or persons in 
*^ power under him for the same, he would please to 
** afford them proteftion and relief." Then they 
talked together again, and the interpreter kept the 
books, and the Czar and Prince MenzicofF (whom I 
supposed the other to be) retired into the room from 
whence they came. 

They being gone, we asked the interpreter, " If that 
<^ was the Czar ?" He said, he was. Then we in- 
quired if he had told him the substance of what we 
had said ? and he said he had. He told us the Czar 
did not understand the Latin tongue, but only his own 
language,, and High Dutch, Then G. Mollison gave 

one 



88 LIFE OF 1698 

one of the Apologies to the interpreter (for he had se- 
veral with him) and so we departed in peace and satis- 
f aft ion. 

After this, he was at several of our meetings, and 
W. Penn, G. Whitehead, and some other friends wait- 
ed on him privately, and presented him with more of 
the same books. 

During my continuance in London, I employed my- 
self in conveyancing, and the like ; and having more 
business than I could manage alone, I had several 
clerks or apprentices offered, both in London, and 
from the North, and considerable sums of money 
with them ; but could not accept of any, lest it should 
prove too great a confinement from my calling in the 
truth. For though I was willing to take pains for my 
necessary support, and the charges of my travels, yet 
I suffered much in my mind by reason of confinement, 
' Ince the calling of God cannot be rightly and fully 
itnswered by any one^ too much entangled with otlier 
concerns, though lawful and gainful, and to the view 
of reason needful. 

I staid here attending the city meetings, and some- 
llrncs visiting those of the neighbourhood in the coun- 
try, until tlie year 1698, when having a letter from 
W. Penn, then at Bristol, desiring me to meet him, 
;ind John Everot, at Holyhead in Wales, at a certain 
(lay, in order to go for Ireland, I accordingly set for- 
v/ard from London on tlie 28th of IM month, and 
went by way of Coventry, Litchfield, &c. to Aber- 
( onv/ay in Wales, where I met with my friends afore- 
^iaid ; and from thence we went the next day to Ho- 
lyhead •, and the day after, about two in tlie afternoon, 
we set sail and arrived in Dublin Bay in about twenty- 
four hours ; for which we v/ere thankful. On the 6th 
of Sd month we went to Dublin, and on the 8th, be- 
ing the first day of the week, was the half year meet- 
itig there; where w^e v/ere greatly comforted, not 
on!v in the cniovment of the blessed nresence of the 

Lord, 



1698 THOMAS STORY. 89 

Lord, but also in observing the unity, mildness^ and 
order, which appeared among friends in the manage- 
ment of the affairs of the church on that occasion. 

Great was the resort of people of all ranks, quah- 
ties, and professions, to our meetings, chiefly on ac- 
count of our friend WiUiam Penn, who was furnished 
by the truth with matter to answer their expeftations,' 
Many of the clergy were there ; and the people, with 
one voice, spake well of what they heard : the dean of 
Derry was one, who, being there several times, was 
asked by his bishop, v/hether he had heard any thing 
but blasphemy and nonsense ; and whether he took 
off his hat in time of prayer to join with us ? He an- 
swered, " that he heard no blasphemy nor nonsensc^^ 
^* but the everlasting truth ; and did not only take olT 
^« his hat at prayer, but his heart said amen to what 
<^ he heard ;" yet he proved like the stony ground, 
and brought forth no fruit, as to outward profession. 
He said, " Though he could die for the principles of 
'^ religion the Quakers professed ; yet, to lose his liv- 
" ing and character for some incidents they are tena- 
^^ cious of, as plain language, plain habits, and other 
'^ distinguishing particularities, he did not think these 
^- of sufficient weight, or reasonable ;" and so camiO 
no further, but proved unfaithful in the day of small 
things. 

Many, I believe, were touched by the virtue of 
truth, especially through the ministry of William 
Penn, upon whom, were the eyes of the people in a. 
more particular mianner ; and John Everot had also 
good service: but justly preferring them before miy- 
self, my spirit Vv'-as weakened by bearing too miuch, 
and I becamic very uneasy; but they taking a turn 
into the country about Y/icklow for some days, I had 
opportunity at Dublin to clear my mind to friends and 
others in several meetings. William Penn returninf-^- 
to Dublin, we went thence on the 27th of the 3d' 
month tov/ards the county of Wexford to Lambstov/nf, 

H 2 ^i:hci.: 



90 LIFE OF IGm 

where we Wrote the following epistle to the yeajrly 
meeting at London, viz. 

" Dear Friends and Brethren, 

*' It is not the least of our exercises, that we are 
•' thus far outwardly separated from you at this time 
*' of our holy and blessed solemnity ; but because we 
^* have great reason to believe it is in the will of God, 
*' we humbly submit to his ordering hand •, and, with 
<^ open arms of deep and tender love, embrace you our 
*< brethren, who are given up to serve the Lord in your 
<^ generation, and that have long preferred Jerusalem, 
** and the peace and prosperity of her borders, above 
«' your chief est joy. The salutation of our endeared 
«^ brotherly love in Christ Jesus is unto you; desiring 
<^ that he may richly appear among you in power, wis- 
<' dom and love ; to guide your judgments, and Influ- 
*' ence your spirits, in this weighty assembly, that so 
*'^' nothing may appear or have place among you, but 
^» v/hat singly seeks the honour of the Lord, the ex- 
*' altation of his truth, and the peace and edification 
*' of his heritage. For this, brethren, you and we 
*' know, has been the aim, end, and pra6lice of those, 
♦-< whom the Lord hath made willing to forsake, and 
*^ give up all for his name's sake ; and; through various 
*' exercises and tribulations, yea, in the way of the 
*< daily cross, and through the fight and baptism of 
*< manifold afflictions, to have their conversation and 
'^i sojo.urning here below upon the earth in fear and 
**' love, looking for their reward in the heavens, that 
<< shall never pe^s away ; who have not been lifted up 
<< by good report, nor cast dou-n by evil report, from 
«« their love to the Lord, and his precious truth ; but 
*< held on their way ; and whose hands being clean of 
*« evil things towards all men, have waxed stronger 
*' and stronger in the Lord : wherefore, dear brethren, 
^« let us also be found in the same steps, and walking 

« in 



I 



ims THOMAS STOPvY. 9^1 

*^ in the same way ; not being high-minded, but fear- 
*^ ing the Lord, that we may serve him through our 
" generation, in diUgence and faithudness, and so en- 
<^ ter into the rest that God hath reserved for his true 
" travellers, and labourers in his vineyard. 

" And now, dear brethren, know that the Lord 
^^ hath brought us well into this kingdom of Ireland, 
'^ and given us many large and blessed opportunities 
^' in several parts ; meetings being crouded by people 
^' of all ranks and persuasions, especially at Dublin, 
" who, for ally thing we have heard, have given the 
" truth a good report. And indeed the Lord hath 
*' mightily appeared for his own name, and ov»^ned us 
*^ with a more than ordinary presence, suitable to the 
*^ occasions ; and made very heavy and hard things 
«' easy to us, because of the glo:y of his power, with 
*^ which he assisted us in our needful times ; for which 
*' our souls bow before him, and bless, reverence, and 
*^ praise his holy name ! So that we have good tidings 
*^ to give you of truth's prosperity at large, and more 
*^ especially in the church ; having had the comfort of 
*^ the general meeting of this nation, consisting of 
'^ m.any weighty brethren and sisters from all parts 
'' thereof, which was held in the city of Dublin, in 
*^ much love, peace, and un'ty for several days; 
** v/herein we had occasion to observe their com.mend- 
'^ able care for the preservation of the truth, in all the 
<^ branches of its holy testimony, both in the general, 
«^ and in the particular ; improving the good order that 
*^ is practised among the churches of Christ in our na- 
'^ tion. Indeed their sim^plicity, gravity, and coolness 
^' in managing their church affairs ; tfceir diligence ih 
<^ mxcetings, both for worship and business •, their dis- 
*^ patch in ending differences, and expedients to pre- 
*^ vent them ; but especially their zeal against covet- 
«^ ousness, and indifterency in truth's service, and an 
'^ exemplary care to discourage an immoderate concern 
*^ in pursuit of th^ things of this life, and to excite 

^< friends 



m LIFE OF 1698 

" friends to do good -vvitli what they are possessed of, 
<^ v/hlle they have it, and time to do good withal ; 
<^ these have very greatly comforted us : and in the 
^^ sweet and blessed power of Christ Jesus the meet- 
^^ ings ended, 2nd. friends departed. The Loi'd grant 
^^ that you may also make the same purpose the travel 
<^ of your souls, and end of your labour and service of 
^^ love, as not seeking your own things, but the things 
^« of Jesus Christ, in this your solemn general meeting. 
«' And, dear brethren, we must tell you, here is room 
«< enough for true labourers in God's vineyard ; and 
<*' cannot well forbear to recommend the service of 
f» truth in this nr.tion to your serious consideration, if 
*^ happily the Lord may put it into the hearts of any 
'' faithful and weighty brethren to visit it in the word- 
^^ of eternal life ; for the harvest appears to us to be 
<' great, and the labourers, in comparison, but fev/. 

^^ So in that love, which many waters cannot quench, 
^•' nor distance wear out of our remembrance, and in 
'^ v/hich we desire to be remembered of you to the 
'^ Lord of our household, v/e dearly and tenderly sa- 
" lu,te and embrace you, a::d remain your loving and 
'* faithful brethren, 

" William Penn, 
" John Everot, 
" Thomas Story. 

«* P. S. Fnends here have been very zealous and 
•' liberal in printing and reprin-ting, and freely distri- 
<< buting great numbers, (and to good purpose) of se- 
♦^ veral books a^d papers, writ in defence of the truth, 
«^ and for informiation of the simple and misinformed : 
" which we hope will also fall under your considera-^ 
« tion." 

We went to Waterford, Clonmel, and Youghall, 
and into the barony of Imokilley, where lies .^reat part 
of^William Penn's estate in that kingdom, some of 

whick. 



1G98 THOMAS STORY. 93 

which he vievv^ed, and v/e staid thereabout till the 10th 
of 7th month ; and being at the castle of Shannigary 
belonging to him, a gentlewoman of good sense and 
chara£ter related to me the following passage, viz. 

" That she being in the city of Cork, when it was 
^^ invested by King Wiliianf s army, and having a little 
*^ daughter of her's with her, they v/ere sittmg toge- 
" ther on a squab ; and being much concerned in 
^^ mind about the danger and circumstances they were 
^^ under, she was seized with a sudden fear and strong 
" impulse to rise from that seat, which she did in a 
** precipitate manner, and hasted to another part of 
*^ the room ; and then was in the like concern for her 
" child, to whom she called with uncommon earnest- 
^^ ness to come to her, which she did ; immediately 
^^ after which came a cannon ball, and struck ^.le seat 
^^ all in pieces, and drove the parts of it about the 
*^ room, without their receiving any hurt." 

From this relation I took occasion to reason with 
her thus : " That intelligencer which gave her notice, 
by fear, of the danger they were in, must be a spiritual 
being having access to her m.ind (which is likewise of 
a spiritual nature) when in that state of humiliation 
under those circumstances ; and must also be a good 
?vnd beneficent intelligencer, willing to preserve them, 
atid furnished also with knowledge and foresight more 
than human. He must have known that such a piece 
would be fired at that time, and that the ball would hit 
die seat, and infallibly destroy you both, if not pre- 
vented in due time by a suitable admonition ; which 
he suggested by the passion fear (the passions being 
useful when duly subjected) and by that means saved 
vour lives. 

^* And seeing that the passions of the mind can be 
wrought upon for our good, by an invisible beneficent 
intelligencer in the mind, in a state of humiliation and 
stillness, without any exterior medium ; is it not rea- 
s'0sab!e to conclude, that an evil intelligencer may have 

likewise 



91^ LIFE OF 1693 

likewise access to the mind in a state of unwatchful- 
nesSj when the passions are moving, and the imagina- 
tion at liberty to form ideas destrudlilve to the mind, 
being thereby depraved and wounded ? And vrhen so, 
is it not likewise reasonable to think, that the Almighty 
himself, who is the most pure, merciful, and benefi- 
cent Spii'it, knowing all events and things, doth somc- 
timevS, at his pleasure, visit the minds of mankind 
through Christ, as through or under a veil, so as to 
communicate of his goodness and virtue to a iiumble 
and silent mind, to heal, and instrufl: in things pleasing- 
to himself, and proper for the conduft of man in his 
pilgrimage through this present world, and lead him 
to tlie next in safety ?" 

Tlie truth of these remarks was readily granted, and 
the conversation seemed ai^reeable to us all. 

o 

On the ICth in the evening we went to Cork ; and 
on the 12th, being the first of the week, we had a 
large meeting there, both of friends from several parts, 
and others in great numbers *, and the divine truth was 
over all. From hence we went to Bandon, and seve- 
ral ether places in these parts ; (JohnEverot sometimes^ 
being with us, and at other times by himself) and on 
the first day following had another meeting at Cork, 
which was large. After this, we had meetings at 
Charlynill and Limerick ; here we viewed some of the 
effefts of the late siege, and observed the wails of 
some houses, as well as of the city, had been much 
shattered with many large cannon shot, and that great 
breaches had been made at the siege by King William's 
army, in which I had two brothers ; one of which, an 
ensign, was killed before at the siege of Charlemont; 
and the other, being chaplain to a regiment under 
comim.and of iSir Thomas Gov/er, a relation of ours, 
survived tlie wars, wrote the history of them, and af- 
tervv^ards was made dean of Limerick, in which station 
he died. 

.We 



1698 THOMAS STORY. 95 

We went to see our ancient and honourable friend 
William Edmundson at Roseanalles, Vv'^hcre, after 
staying some time^ I left my companions, and went to 
Mountmelick, and visited some friends there, in the 
town and near it. And on the lOth, being first day 
of the week, William Penn and his company came to 
us, and we had a very large meeting, and the Lord 
was with us in general -, but as I had greater regard to 
the services of my companions than my own, I had at 
Limerick, under that consideration, neglected my own 
gift till the proper tim^e of the exercise thereof was 
over, and so came from thence greatly loaden in my 
mind. And here, fearing to do the like, and add to 
my burthen (too heavy already to bear) 1 stood up to 
speak too soon; and that I might not be in the way 
of those I preferred, I spake too fast, and thereby 
went before my right guide, so that my burthen re- 
mained on that account, though not so heavy as be- 
fore 'j for the Lord, who is merciful, knew it was not 
wilful, but out of v/eakness : yet by this conduit I 
obtained further (though expensive) experience; that 
neither too much regard nor disregard to any person, 
neither too much staying behind our true guide, or 
going before, ought to be ; but in and with the divine 
and livmg truth, and the motion and operation of it, 
is God's time ; and then only can men preach the 
gospel. Time is distinguished by motion, and when 
he moves, then is his time to be observed; and that, 
and no other, sooner or later, should be made our 
time ; though some disappointm.ents there are, not 
properly from our own fault, but occasioned by the 
unskilfulness and haste of others, taking a wrong time, 
and intruding where they ought not ; in w^hich there 
is a great and hidden mystery of evil, and the Gospel 
of Christ thereby greatly hindered, often out of the 
view of the unskilful instrum.ents afting or omitting 
to aci therein. The same afternoon was their meeting 
for business^ v/liere things were managed with a just 

severity 



96 LIFE OF 1698 

severity against every appearance of evil, to the great 
comfort of the upright^ and discouragement of evil 
doers ; a great instrument of exa£l discipUne being 
that ancient and worthy friend of truth William Ed- 
mundson, who lived within the precincts of this meet- 
ing.^ 

Next day we went to Edenderry, w^here we met our 
friends Samuel Waldenficid, and John Vaughton from 
London. Here v/e were favoured also with a large 
meeting of friends and others, to our satisfaclion. 
We went from thence to Lurgan, and Dundalk, 
where we saw the place of the late miserable camps, 
in which such num.bers had died in great distress ; 
and v/hat gave occasion for compassionate reflection 
on the miseries and caL^mities of war, by men pro- 
fessing on all hands the peaceable Saviour, was tlie 
sculls, and other bones of human bodies, of the same 
flesh and blood with us (for God marie of one blood 
all nations) who never had received human burial : 
but their flesh had been, no doubt, rent from their 
bones by the v/iid beasts and dogs, and fowls of the 
air. 

The next day we arrived at Dublin, where we had 
meetings, and on the 20th went to Kilccck, from 
thence to Carlow. And thus we travelled through 
the country, visiting friends and meetings as we went, 
till we came up towards the south parts •, w^here I left 
the company, and v/ent to Clonmel, in order to see 
my brother George, then dean of Limerick, and met 
wirh him at Thomas Osborn's (eldest son of Sir Tho- 
mas Osborn) v/hose wife v/as my brother's wife's aunt ^ 
he had been sent into France for education, and there 
had embraced the Romnsh religion. 

When I came to the house, I found him of a frank 
and familiar temper, and in less than an hour he de- 
sired me to take a turn v/ith. him in the garden ; and 
walking there together, he asked me some questions 
concerning our principles^ and more particularly of 

our 



1698 THOMAS STORY. 97 

our silent meetings, and of what advantage they were 
to us ; for he did suppose they were of some use, else 
we would not continue in the pra£lice of them. 

I answered, " That we had been as other men, sub- 
ject to common infirmities, and ignorant of God, as 
to any experience of his presence and divine working 
in us, till it pleased him in his goodness and mercy to 
visit us by the Spirit of his Son Christ, through which 
we had known a time of condemnation and humilia- 
tion for sins past, and true repentance and forgiveness; 
and believing in him through the work of his spirit 
and power in our minds, he, with the light and life of 
his Son, became the object of our faith ; by which 
also he sanctified our hearts, and reconciled us unto 
himself : so that the enmity being slain, and v/e made 
temples of the Holy Ghost^ we nov/ worshipped the 
Father through the Spirit of his Son, in a state of faith 
and obedience ; whereby we draw near unto him, even 
through that blessed medium which him. self hath ap- 
pointed, partaking of the nature of m^an ; not of flesh 
and blood only, as the Son of man, but also being 
clothed with a holy human mind, by him Vv^e are made 
partakers of the divine nature as the sons of God ; as 
it is written. He shall take of mine ^ a?id give it unto you. 

" And the Father being made manifest in him, we 
have instru£tions in wisdom, and enjoyments in the 
divine and blessed presence, of which the world, in a 
state of nature, is not aware. And not m.ore so than 
in a state of silence, where all the passions, affections, 
and natural desires of the heart are silenced by the ali- 
com.manding voice and power of the divine word, who 
hath said. Let the worlds be^ and it %uas so^ 

He heard me with attention, and replied, " That he 
firmly believed what I had said : that we were such a 
people, and consequently the happiest in the world) 
over whom the Almighty hath a particular care. That 
he was at one of our meetings some time ago, and 
was so well satisfied with what he felt there, that 

I though 



98 LIFE OF 1698 

though some who were with him would have had him 
left the meeting before it was ended, he staid the 
whole tim.e, having never met with the like satisfac- 
tion any where else.'* By the time this conversation 
was finished, he began to be apprehensive that his 
priest v/ould miss us out of the company, and be in 
quest of him (for he kept a Popish priest in his house 
under the appearance of a gentleman) and so it proved, 
for as we were returning he came to us ; and the priest 
beginning to ask me some questions, he withdrew. 

The first question he asked me was, ^^ Whether we 
believed predestination ?*' I answered, ^^ No ; but 
that the grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
is universal, and free to all mankind." Then he said, 
*' they were of different opinions on that subject: ; 
some one way, and some another." He then asked 
me, '^ What we thought of excommunication ? what 
effecSl: it is of in the church ?" I answered, " That it 
ought to be applied to such as denied the faith in ex- 
press v/ords j or if not in words, yet by aftions, by 
committing and persisting in any immoral or sinful 
afts -, or declining the common and stated rules of the 
community, or terms of Christian communion among 
them : but that excommunication ought not to affeft 
life, liberty, property, or the person of any one, but 
only to deny him Christian communion till reformed." 

" This he said was net of sufficient force to awe 
offenders, or to induce their return, where the motives 
to their offences were strong and cogent." I repHed, 
*^ That to be denied communion by any real Christian 
congregation, of which one is a member, is a matter 
of great v/eight and consequence •, for certainly God 
is with and in his own appointments : and whoever is 
denied by the church of Christ, is denied by himself: 
for as she acSls in and by his Spirit, which is ever in 
her, and present with her, it is his aft by her ; and 
in that respeft she is called the ground and pillar of 
truth : and offenders, so denied, undergo, even in this 

life. 



1698 THOMAS STORY. 99 

life, a burthen more sinking than the loss of all they 
have in the v/orld. But where any form of excom- 
munication is invented only by the wisdom or policy 
of men from secular views, with punishments of their 
own contriving annexed, the Lord doth not co-operate 
there, nor own that ordinance 5 so that the punish- 
ments awarded, wliich are often inadequate, cruel, 
and unjust, are all that the excommunicated sustain : 
not for the salvation of the soul, but satisfying the 
ends of power, pride, covetousness, and envy ; to the 
destruction of the chara£ler, estate, body, and family, 
if not ruin of the soul, by complying (under such 
grievous temptations) with heterodox errors in opinion 
and practices immoral, idolatrous, and antichristian ; 
fruits of the inventions of apostate and fallen spirits, 
by whom the children of men are deceived." 

What he would have replied to this, or whether any 
thing, I do not know ; but being near the house, we 
were called to supper, after which we had more con- 
versation on religious subjefts. 

Next morning I set forward for Cashel, where I 
met my companions, and a meeting was held, to which 
a great multitude of people came. The mayor of the 
town, with constables, &c. came by direction of the 
bishop of the place, and endeavoured to break up the 
meeting, but could not succeed. From Cashel we 
went towards Cork, taking meetings in our way, and 
when we came there, William Penn v/ent to see the 
lords justices, who had a very great friendship for 
him. The earl of Gallov/ay expressed his disappro- 
bation of the bishop's conduct, in endeavouring to 
disturb the mxceting. 

We staid at Cork, and those parts, having meetings 
there and in the country till the 19th of 6th months 
and then we set sail from Cork, and landed at Mine- 
head on the 21st in good health, and in peace; for 
which we were thankful to the Lord> and giver of all 
' our 



100 LIFE OF 1698 

our mercies. From thence we went to Bristol, where 
I lodged at William Penn's, and staid some weeks. 

On the 5th of the 8th month I returned to London, 
preserved through all dangers, to the praise of him 
v/ho liveth and reigneth, and is worthy of all adoration 
and glory for ever and ever ! Amen. 

I now turn my face towards America, and think 
proper to go back in point of time, in order to relate 
how my concern for that part of the world began in 
me and increased. In the year 1693, as I was riding 
alone in an evening in Cumberland, the power of di- 
vine truth moved upon my mind, and my heart was 
greatly tendered before the Lord ; and the word of 
the Lord opened in me, saying, " Behold m.y visita- 
^^ tion cometh over the western parts of the world, to- 
" wards the sun-setting in the time of winter." AikI 
I was greatly comforted in the words of his holiness. 
From henceforward I was often tendered in spirit, in 
remembrance of the western v orld, in a sense of the 
love and visitation of God to a people there whom I 
had never seen •, which was more and more renewed 
and settled upon my mind, in frequent tenderings and 
brokenness of heart, under the influence of the divine 
presence : but hitherto I knew not that the call of the 
Lord was to me to visit those parts. 

And in the time of the yearly meeting at London, 
in 1695, Aaron Atkinson being concerned in prayer, 
among other petitions to the I^ord, prayed for the 
western countries, and places beyond the seas, " that 
<« the Lord would please to send forth his ministers, 
<* in the power of his word, to publish the day of 
" glad tidings more and more among them :" upon 
which the power of divine life move<l sensibly in my 
heart; and the concern, secretly begotten in my soul, 
now began to ansv/er and appear •, and after that, great 
heaviness and fear came over me. The same day, af- 
ter the meetings several Cumberland friends and others 

: being 



1698 THOMAS STORY. 101 

being together, upon occasion of mentioning some of 
those countries by one of the company, the word of 
life moved powerfully in my soul, with open assurance 
of the call of the Lord to me to visit some of the Ame- 
rican countries : but though I was exceedingly broken, 
to the tendering also of most of the friends there, yet 
I was silent as to the particular matter, being willing 
to conceal it as long as I could, since no time was then 
fixed when I should move forward therein. But find- 
ing my concern to remain and increase, I yielded at 
length in the secret of my mind, to ansv/er the call o£ 
the Lord to that part of the w^orku 

And kere it may be regular to mention m.y compa- 
nion Roger Gill, who, some time in the first month of 
this year 1698, having informed me that he was under 
the like concern to visit America, we concluded to go 
together ; and having m.ade knovv'n our concern to the 
brethren at the morning meeting in London, they en- 
couraged us •, and provision being made, both by the- 
body of friends, and many particulars, of every thing 
needful for our voyage and journey, on the iOth ot 
the 9th month we went on board near Deptford, in 
the river Thames, accompanied by several of our dear 
friends and brethren, viz. John Field, John Butcher^ 
Robert Atkinson, and several others ; and soon after 
Game to us William Penn, and Joseph Wyeth. And 
being together in the great cabin, the good presence 
of the Lord comnnanded deep, inward silence before 
him, and the Comforter broke in upon us by his irre-- 
sistible power, and greatly tendered us together in his 
heavenly love, whereby we were melted into m.any 
tears : glorious was this appearance to the humbling 
of us all, and admiration of some there, who did not 
understand it. We remained in this condition for a 
considerable time ; and then WilHam Penn was con- 
cerned in prayer " for the good and preservation of 
^^ all, and more especially for us then about to leave?^ 
^^ them : with thanksgiving also for all the favours of 

I a « Gadp. 



im LIFE' OF 1698 

** God, and for that holy and precious enjoyment as 
«^ an addition to his many former blessings.'' When 
he had finished, the same holy embraces of divine 
soul-melting love remained, and were repeated upon 
the silent v/eeping assembly, to the full confirmation 
of U5 more immediately concerned, and further evi- 
dence to the brethren of the truth of our calling. In 
this love unfeigned, and tender condition of mind, we 
embraced each other, to our mutual satisfaftion ; for 
the same powerful love of truth that makes us loth to 
depart from the friends and brethren of our own na- 
tive land, drawing us to remote parts of the world,, 
and remaining in our hearts, gives courage and strength 
also to leave all, and follow the Lord, even wheresoever 
he will. 

We looked after them so long as we could see them,, 
not with minds to go backwards, or hearts with any 
desire now to return, but in the comfort of divine 
love ; which neither distance of place, nor number of 
years, shall ever be able to obstru61: or deface, as we 
keep true to the Lord in ourselves. That night we 
fell down to Blackwall, and on the 1 2th arrived at 
Gravesend •, *here v/e went on shore, and next morn- 
ing took coach for Rochester, where we had a large 
and comfortable meeting with friends, and many 
others. In the evening we returned to Gravesend, 
and the next day went on board, but did not arrive in 
the Downs till the 18th j we went on shore with sonne 
difficulty, and had a meeting at Deal ; from thence 
•went to Dover, and Folkstone, and had meetings, re- 
turning to Deal on the 29th. The next day we set 
sail from the Downs, and proceeded on our voyage ; 
in which we had various weather until the 18th of 
10th month, being first day of the week, when, till 
eight in the morning, v^'-e had a very hard gale of wind 
at west. At nine we bore up to the northward, the 
'wind at south west, which increased to a very great 
btorm ; so that the yards were brought down upon the 

gunnels. 



1698 THOMAS STORY. lOS 

gunnels, and the helm lashed and made fast^ and the 
ship let drive before the wind. We being met toge- 
ther in the great cabin and steerage to wait upon the 
Lord, as at other times, he was pleased to appear in 
the needful time, for the tempest increased, with 
thunder and lightning, and rain, to that degree, that 
few there, if any, had ever seen the like. 

In waiting upon the Lord, I became concerned in 
prayer ; and wrestling in spirit with the Lord, I re« 
ceived hope that we should not perish : having con- 
cluded for that time, and my concern returning, I 
prayed again, and then some stout hearts were broken, 
and the Lord's power glorified , v/e were likev/ise 
greatly comforted. 

Soon after the storm abated, and we had no more 
after it to that degree, though there was still a continu- 
ance of stormy weather. Here we saw the eiTefts of 
the mighty power of God ; how he enrageth, and 
again, at his pleasure, stiileth the seas ; he that crea- 
teth the windS;, and bindeth the ocean as in swaddlir/g 
bands, and holdeth the deep as in the hollow of his 
hand, and worketh in the heavens above, and in the 
earth beneath, and in the waters under the sam.e, 
whatsoever he will *, the God of truth is his name for 
ever. 

Having sailed through many storms, over most of 
the great western ocean, under the proteftion of the 
Divine Providence ; and all the ship's reckonings be- 
ing out, on the ^th of 12th m.onth, the next day we 
struck ground with the lead at nineteen fathom water. 
This was glad tidings to us, and being in our latitude, 
v/e stood in towards the land all night, and the next 
morning saw the Capes on either side of the Bay of 
Chesapeak, and that afternoon we came to an anchor 
in Mockjack Bay, a little above Point Comfort. 

On the 1 1th of 12th month we set sail in the long 
boat for Oueen's Creek in York River, where we got 

W'ith 



im U¥t OF 169S 

with some difficulty, and were made welcome at the 
house of om- friend Edward Thomas *, had a meeting 
with the family, and a few of the neighbourhood, 
who, though not of the society, were several of them 
much tendered ; which was the first fruits of our 
ministry in that country, and good encouragement. 
We went from hence to Warwick river, Martin's 
Hundred, and Bangor House, and had meetings to sa- 
tisfa£tion. At Scimmino in \'ork County, at the 
house of John Bates, we had a meeting appointed, 
where no meeting had been before. The people were 
generally tendered and humbled, and we comforted 
in a sense of the love and visitation of God towards 
them : and the concluding of the meeting falling upon 
me, among other requests to the Lord, it was upon 
my mind to say, in the spirit of prayer, " That since 
*^ such who should give a cup of cold v/ater only to 
«< any of his, in the name of a disciple, were not to lose 
^^ their reward, the Lord v^rould be pleased to reward 
*^ those, who had so readily and openly received us, 
*^ and a meeting of his people in their house, with a 
" knowledge of his blessed truth -" when both John 
Bates and his wife were convinced of truth, and from 
that time professed the same with us. 

Next day we had a meeting at the house of Daniel 
Akehurst, in which many were humbled and tendered 
by the word and power of truth, and departed in a so- 
lid frame of mind : *< We having preached to them 
the free and universal grace of Cod through Christ 
for life and salvation, endeavouring to turn them 
thereunto ; that through faith therein they might come 
to know the full end of the sacrifice of the blood of 
Christ shed at Jerusalem of old ; and how that such as 
rejeft this grace, and spirit of Christ in their own 
hearts at this day, have not the benefit of that work 
and sacrifice of Christ then made manifest ; but cru- 
cify to themselves the Son of God afresh." With 

many 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 105 

many other things of weight, which the Lord opened 
in us, and by us, to the people, to our comfort, and 
their edification, and to his praise. 

The next morning we went down to Thomas Gary's, 
towards the foot of the Creek. He had been lately 
convinced, but was not then at home j but his wife 
having been likewise lately convinced, so soon as we 
entered the house, the Lord's power tendered us, and 
we were much comforted together ; and his brother 
Miles Gary, and his wife, coming thither to see us, 
were made partakers of the same visitation. By the 
time this satisfa(!:tory visit was finished, cam.e three of 
our friends, with some other assistance, and took a 
boat, and set us over James River to Chuckatuc ; 
which being a long way, and night coming on, we 
ran several times on ground, so that it was late in the 
night before we arrived at our desired port; which 
was at the house of our ancient friend John Gopeland, 
where we were openly and cordially received and en- 
tertained, though they knew nothing of us till we en- 
tered the house. 

We staid there that night, and were much satisfied 
every way ; and upon some discourse with our friend, 
I found he was one of the first of those who had their 
ears cut off by the Independents in New-England for 
the testimony of truth, in the first publishing thereof 
to that rebellious generation : and at my request he 
shewed us his right ear, yet bearing the badge of their 
antichristianity. 

From hence we went to Derasconeck, Western 
and Southern Branch, having meetings to our comfort 
and satisfaction. On the 5th of 1st month, being 
first day of the week, had a meeting at Barbican, the 
last meeting in Virginia towards Carolina. That night 
we lodged at our friend Nathan Newby's, and had 
some discourse with him concerning the Indians, and 
v/hat sentiments they have about heaven and heavenly 
things. He told us, ^^ Many of them came frequently 

ta 



106 LIFE OF 169S 

to his house, to employ him to mend their guns (being 
a smith) and he had discoursed with them on such 
subjefts 5 and as to the Divine Being, they think there 
is one that made all things, and that he always beholds 
all the Indians, as if they were comprehended together 
in a small circle ; and that all bad Indians, who will 
lie, steal, cheat, and do other ill things, when they 
die, go to a cold country, where they are always hun- 
gry, cold, and in all manner of distress they can ima- 
gine : but the good Indians, who will not' do such 
tilings, go to a warm country, where they have fat 
boar and roasting ears all the year long ; these being 
the most excellent food they can imagine." 

It seems these are the greatest enjoyments known 
to them, or that their imaginations can reach : and as 
they believe rewards and punishments in another 
world, they think they must consist of such things as 
are agreeable or disagreeable to their senses in their 
present state. But though their notions be low and 
sensual, yet I do think, that if many thousands that 
profess the true God and Christ, were to give their 
sentiments concerning future rewards and punish- 
ments, and wherein they do consist, they would not 
much exceed the Indians therein ; since many of thern 
are so far from any sense or relish of the holy and di- 
vine earnest, and taste of the true bread of life, which 
comes down daily from God out of heaven, and, as 
manna, is daily rained about the tents and dwellings 
of the whole Israel of God, that they do not believe 
it. 

The Indians are just, loving, courteous (in their 
way) and harmless to all that are so to them ; but- if 
wronged, or abused, revengeful : and what immorali- 
ties, as drunkenness, swearing, and the like are among 
them, they have learned of our own ce-untrymen, who 
make greater pretences to religion and knowledge, and 
yet are worse in praftice. The God of truth open 
the eyea of boasting and Vuin-glorious Cliristendom, 

to 



1G99 THOMAS STORY. 107 

to see how far she is short of true Christianity ; and 
that till her inhabitants experience a change by the 
workings of the divine nature in them, they are yet 
but pra£lical heathens, in the nature of the fxrst, fallen 
Adam, and so esteemed in the sight of the Lord, 
whose love is likewise towards the Indians, which will 
be more fully manifested in them in his appointed 
tim.e ! 

We proceeded to Picquimon's Creek in North-Ca- 
rolina, where we had a meeting v/hich was large, and, 
several persons of note were there : but the noises and 
elevations of some professlno; truth, occasioned their 
admiration, and Vv^as hurtful to them ; though they 
had before that been very solid, and attentive to my 
companion's testimony, who had the whole publick 
concern in the meeting that day. 

On the 9th we went forward, and passed over Lit- 
tle River, having meetings at several places, and on 
the 1 3th had a pretty large meeting, where several 
were tendered, among whom were some negroes. 
And here I shall observe, that several negroes had of 
late come to meetings, having a sense of truth; seve- 
ral others thereaway were likewise convinced, and like 
to do well. And the morning we came from Thomas 
Simons' Sj my companion speaking some words of truth 
to his negro woman, she was tendered ; and as I pass- 
ed on horseback by the place v/here she stood weep- 
ing, I gave her my hand ; and then she was much 
more broken : and finding the day of the Lord's ten- 
der visitation and mercy upon her, I spake encou- 
ragingly to her, being glad to find the poor blacks so 
near the truth, and reachable. She stood tliere look- 
ing after us, and weeping, as long as we could see 
her. 

I had enquired of one of the black men, how long 
they had comxe to meetings ? And he said, ^^ They 
had always been kept in ignorance, and disregarded, 
as persons who were not to expect any thing from the 

Lord, 



106 LIFE OF 1699 

Lord, till Jonathan Taylor, (who had been there a 
year before) discoursing with them, had informed 
them, that the grace of God through Christ was also 
given to them ; and that they ought to believe in, and 
be led and taught by it, and so might come to be good 
friends, and saved as well as others, of which they 
were glad ; and on the next occasion, which was when 
William Ellis and Aaron Atkinson were there, they 
went to meetings, and several of them were convin- 
ced/' Thus one planteth, and another watereth, but 
the Lord giveth the increase. 

I called one of the negroes aside after the meeting, 
and exhorted him to be inward with the Lord 5 and 
<^ that he and the rest should wait to know the work 
of the power of God in themselves, to change their 
minds from a state of nature and sin to a heavenly 
condition.'" To this he was attentive, and said, ^* He, 
and those other negroes that were convinced, had dis- 
coursed v/ith others of them, and had told them what 
they were to come to understand and believe ; and that 
som.e were inquisitive after truth, but some others of 
them seemed to take little notice : But, said he, every 
tub must stand on its own bottom ; and the negleft of 
others, we hope, shall not discourage us to press for- 
ward in that which we are persuaded is the best." 

On the i3th at night we passed over the river, and 
next day had a good meeting, in which many were 
tendered y my companion especially being very power- 
ful that day in his testin.ony, to the praise of "the Lord, 
of whom alone is the power, and to whom be all glory 
for ever. Next m.orning we went over the Great 
Sound, and had a meeting ; the day following we set 
forward for Virginia, and v/ere at Chuckatuck, South- 
ern Branch, Elizabeth's Town, and had meetings ; and, 
being at the Creek side, accompanied by some friends, 
and ready to take boat, the good presence of the Lord 
came upon us, and sweetly tendered us together ; my 
companion first, and then I, had some time in prayer, 

where 



1-699 THOMAS STOPvY. 109 

v^here we parted with those friends in tender love. 
After this we had a meeting at Pagan Creek, Lyon's 
Creek, and from hence went to Burleigh, to the house 
of James Johns : we had not been long in the house, 
till I perceived a concern in my mind in the truth ; 
and seeing two Indian men servants, and a negro wo- 
man about the house, I found it was on their account ; 
for the love of God was towards them. As soon as I 
could, I took an opportunity to retire into the woods, 
for the more free exercise of my mind, in the gift of 
God, alone *, and to see what might be the issue of 
my inward concern. Remaining there till the even- 
ing, as finding no way for it that night, the next morn- 
ing I sent for those servants, and had the family and 
them together in the hall ; where I published to them, 
*^ The day of the visitation of God, dire£ting their 
minds to the light and grace of God in their own 
hearts, that as it reproved sin in them, and in all men : 
so it teacheth all that will receive it, to deny iifKrodli- 



nesSy and ivorldly lusts ^ and to ivalk godly^ righteously^ 
and soberly^ in this present ivorld. And thereby men, 
escaping the corruptions that are in this world through 
lust, are received into everlasting joys in the world to 
com^e : but such as are not led and governed by the 
grace of God here, they are to be condemned unto 
everlasting fire, in the great day of the judgment of 
Almighty God, which is coming upon ail the Vv^orld ; 
and that ^ough men there should desire to die, they 
could not ; neither is there any end of their torments j" 
with some other things importing both the judgments 
and mercies of God. 

" I also exhorted them to wait upon the Lord in 
stillness, who, being a holy, invisible Spirit, appears 
only in the hearts and mnnds of men, and not to the 
outward eye and sight-, and that whatsoever things 
are reproved in mien's hearts here^ in this world, will 
be condemned in the day of judgment ; but if they re- 
pent of their former evil deeds, and for the time to 
. K come 



110 LIFE OF 1699 

come join and unite with the Spirit of Christ, which 
discovers and condemns all evil in them, the Lord 
will not only forgive their former sins, but be their 
exceeding great comforter in this life ; and in the 
world to come they shall sing everlasting songs of 
praises to the great God, in the kingdom of his glory, 
in the sweet company of innumerable angels, and the 
spirits of just and good men in a state of perfeftion, 
where there is divine pleasure unutterable and ever- 
lasting." 

One of the Indians had wept much, and there be- 
]ng a meeting the same day at our friend T. Chappel's, 
about two miles from this, they both came after us 
thither. After this, we had several meetings, and 
came to our friend Jane Pleasant's, at Curies -, there 
we m.et v ith my companion (who had left me for a 
little while) and several other friends, to our mutual 
satisfaction. On the 4th we had a meeting here, my 
ccr:cern in it was, for tlie most part, about marriage, 
and the displeasure of God against his own people in 
the old world, and in all ages of this, against mixed 
marriages between them and the world. This con- 
cern I bore long in the meeting, under fear lest it 
should arise from the hearing of the ear only (having 
heard some hints of Jane Pleasant's son being about to 
take a wife that did not profess with us) ; but at length, 
seeing my way clear, I discharged my conscience in 
thr matter; and the young mian was, for that time, 
hrougrht to a sense of his error. On the two following: 
d :ys v»^e had meetings, and were at a meeting on the 
lirst day of the week, at Black Creek, in winch the 
p'.wer and goodness of the Lord was plentifully with 
us J and many were tendered thereby. The next morn- 
i T we w*ent towards the upper part of Mattapany 
River, and hearing of an Indian tovv^n, we went to see 
them. I'hey are the Chickahomine Indians \ the town 
cons sted of about eleven wigw ms, or houses, made- 
of the bark of trees, and contained so many families :. 

we 



1^9 THOMAS STORY. Ill 

we were direfted to the Sagamor, or Chief; and 
when we went to his door^ he came out with a piece 
of cloth about his middle, but otherwise naked, and in- 
vited us in, and being set down, several of his people 
came to look upon us. After a time of silence, and 
the company increased, we asked him if they were all 
there, for we desired to see as many of them together 
as we could ; which being interpreted to the Sagamor, 
who was a grave, serious, and v/ary old man, he seem- 
ed to be under some suspicion of us, and what we 
might mean by desiring to see them all together, be- 
ing wholly strangers to them. Then I informed them 
by the interpreter, ^^ That we did not come among 
^^ them for any hurt to them, or gain to ourselves ; 
^^ but, being lately arrived from England, had a desire 
*^ to see them : for we loved Indians^ and had some- 
*^ thing to say to them concerning the great God, who 
<^ made the heavens, the sun, moon, earth, and all that 
<^ dwell therein, Englishmen, Indians, and all nations -, 
^^ that he loves all good English, and good Indians, and 
*^ other good people every where." 

Upon this they seemed a little more calm and settled 
in their countenances, and my companion spake to 
them concerning the immortality of the soul, " and 
^^ that God had placed a witness in the heart of every 
^' man, which approves that which is good, and re- 
'^ proves that which is evil." The Sagamor then 
pointed to his head, and said, ^^ That was treacherous, 
^^ or fallacious ;" but, pointnig to his breast, said, " It 
^^ was true and sweet there;" and then he sent forth 
his breath, as if he had poured out his soul unto death ; 
and signing up towards heaven with his hand, raised 
a bold, chearful, and loud hey, as if the soul ascended 
thither in a triumphant manner : then pointing to his 
body, from, thence put his hand towards the earth, to 
demonstrate his opinion-, that the body remains there, 
when the soul is departed^ and ascended* 

^ . It 



112 LIFE OF 1699 

It is reported of this Sagamor, that he was never 
seen to be drunk but once, and that was when young j 
which had proved such a trouble to his mind, and vir- 
tuous inclination, that he always after shunned every 
occasion of the like eviL We took them by the hand, 
one by one, and rhey seemed well pleased with our 
visit. 

As to the conversion of the Indians, of all, or any 
nation, or nations, to the truth, I believe the Lord 
will call them y but it seems to me, that learning, or 
the historical part of religion, will not be much instru- 
mental in it ; but the Word of life, whose divine and 
life giving intellectual speech is more certainly known 
in the mind, will tender their hearts, in a silent state 
and retirement, by means of some instruments that the 
Lord will raise up and qualify for that purpose. And 
when it shall please the Lord to send forth his word, 
T/:e light of the Gentiles^ the quickening Spirit of Jesus^, 
into, and upon any of them in holy silence, or in 
prayer, their minds shall be diredled to the Spirit him- 
self, as the present cbjedl of their faith, obedience, 
and love, and author of their present joy and salva- 
tion ; and so believing in the light, shall iDCCome chil- 
dren of that light and day of God, and heirs of eternal 
life in him : and then the histories in the bible, the 
prophecies of the prophets of God, and the fuliilling 
of them ; the evangelical account of the conception-, 
birth, hfe, doftrine, miracles, death, resurredlion, 
ascension^ glorification, mediation, intercession, and 
judgment of him, who is the substance of all, a7id the 
true light ivhlch Ughteth every man that cometh into the 
world y will be the more clearly received by the Indians, 
when the Almighty shall think fit to acquaint them 
therewith. 

We went from hence to Queen's Creek, Hlckery 
Neck, York City, Poccsonj'^and had meetings in a 
good degree to satisfaction. On the 2Cth we had a 

meeting 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 113 

meeting at G. Walker's at Kickatan ; It was small, yet 
many things were opened of great moment ; and the 
Lord gave us a good time together. After this meet- 
ing I found myself under a particular concern for the 
restoration of the wife of G.. Walker the younger, 
who was one of the daughters of that unhappy apos- 
tate Geo. Keith : I observed her to have a good natu- 
ral understanding, but much out of that innocent 
adorning, both of body and mind, usual among our 
best friends, and I spoke to her alone on that subje£l» 
in much tenderness. I perceived the love of trutU 
was towards her, and a time of visitation ; and exhort- 
ed her therein to be humble and moderate in all things, 
fearing the Lo,1k1» At first, as I thought, she was jea- 
lous I had done it reproachfully, considering the cir- 
cumstances of her father and mother ; but nothing ap-- 
pearing in me but true respeft and friendship, she be- 
gan in a short time to be moved, and shed tears ; un- 
der which tenderness I took leave of her, being full of 
compassion in the love of truth towards her j in which 
also r greatly desired the return of all that had gone 
out from the truth that v/ay. 

N^xt day we.went to Queen's Creek, from thence 
to Remuncock, and had a meeting, which was large 
and open. We proceeded towards Maryland, and had 
meetings till w^e came to Newcastle, where we met 
with some friends of Philadelphia, and had a large 
meeting, in v/hich we w^ere much comforted in thcr 
truth. On the 15th we had a meeting at Merion witii ■ 
the Welch friends, among whom I was mzuch satisii- 
ed ; for several of them appearing in testimony in the 
British tongue, which I did not understand *, yet being 
from the word of truth in them, as instruments moved 
thereby, I was as much refreshed, as if it had been in . 
my own language ; which confirmed me in what I had 
thought before, that where the spirit is the same in the 
preacher and hearer, and is the truth, the refreshment 
isrchiefly thereby, rather than by the form of word? , 

Ji ^' Oil 



114 LIFE OF 1699 

cr langnage^ to all that are in the same spirit at the 
same time : and this is the universal language of the 
spirit, known and uilderstood in all tongues and na- 
tions, to them that are born of him. But in order to 
the convincement of such as know not the truth ; for 
the begetting of faith in such as do not yet believe 
therein ; for the opening of the understanding, by the 
form of doclrine, and declaration of the necessary 
truths of the gospel and kingdom of God, intelligible 
language, uttered under the immediate influence of 
the spirit of truth, is indispensably necessary ; as also 
for the edifying of the church, the body of Christ, ia 
general. 

That evening we went to Philadelphia, where we 
staid till the 17 th day of the month, and then went 
to Burlington in West New- Jersey, where we had a 
meeting on the first day of the week. From hence 
we proceeded to Croswicks, New-York, and West- 
Chester. Here we fell in opportunely with a yearly 
meeting, about 20 miles from Nevv'-York. On the 
t26th we set forward for Rhode-Island, about 200 
miles by land, accompanied by several friends to Stan- 
ford, in the colony of Connefticut, where we inclined 
to have a meeting, which was pretty much disturbed 
by a constable, and his assistant, who cam.e wirh a 
warrant from the mayor of the town, containing false 
charges against us. When the meeting was over, we 
went into the inn, where several of the people came 
to dii^pute with us. 

The first matter pitched upon was the universal 
nee grace of God to all men, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ *, this we asserted, and maintained over them, 
Vv'hich being contrary to their beloved doftrine of per- 
sonal predestination, it occasioned a discourse on that 
< ubjeil ; and the proof being incumbent on them, one 
i)f them with great confidence asserted, " That God 
^^ said, before Jacob and Esau were born, that he 
i' loved Jacobs v.nd hated Esau j and that it was the 

^^ pleasure 



1691> THOMAS STORY. ILT 

^« pleasure and decree of God from everlasting so to 
*^ do, without any cause in either of them, being be- 
" fore they had done good or evil." 

Then I called for one of their bibles, and told him^., 
^^ He and they were all in a great mistake concerning, 
that scripture ; for God did not say, before the chil- 
dren were born, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I 
hated ; but said, * Tivo stations are in thy n^'jomh^ and 
t^uo manner of people shall be separated from thy honjoels ; 
and the one people shall he stronger than the other peophy 
and the elder shall serve the younger. Here the answer., 
of God, being a prediction, had no respe£t to the' 
persons of Jacob and Esau; nor was it ever fulfilled 
personally in them : for Esau, who was the elder, 
never served Jacob in person ; but, on the contrary^ 
Jacob did obeisance to Esau, and called him his Lord.f 
This prediction then was written concerning the dif- 
ferent posterity of Esau and Jacob, and not their per- 
sons-, and was fulfilled in the Edomites of Mount 
Seir, who came of Esau, and Israel, who came o£ 
Jacob ; and the displeasure of God against the Edo- 
mites, v/as not from any forehatred^ or decree of God 
from eternity, as ye suppose ; but the moral cause of 
his displeasure and their ruin was, their great sins and 
wickedness, as declared by the prophets of God ; and 
first by Ezekiel, \ Behold^ Mount Scir^ I am against- 
^ iheey because thou hast had a perpetual hatred^ and hast, 
shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the 
sword In the time of their calainiiy^ &c. And likewise 
by Amos, § Because he did pursue his brother with the 
sword) and cud cast off all pitj^ ojid his anger did tear, 
perpetually ) a7'idi, keep his wrath for ever. And also by 
Obadiah against Esau, that is, Edom, || For the pride 
of thine heart ; for thy violence against thy brother Ja^ 

* Gen. sxv. 23. f ibid, xxxil. 4. 18. 2^0. | £zek. xxxv. 5, 

§ Amo3-i, li. 11 Obad. 3, &c. 

coby 



im LIFE OF 1699 

cob^ shame shall coi^sr thee, a7id thou shalt be cut off for 
ever. And last of all by Malachi, who hath it thus, 
* IVas fiot Esau JacoFs br other y saith the Lord : yet I 
loved yacobj and hated Esau, and laid his mountains and 
his heritage waste. Sec, which was for his pride, obsti- 
nacy, and opposition^, persisting in final rebellion, im- 
penitence and contradiction : all which is still concern- 
ing Edorn and Israel, and not the persons of Jacob and 
Esau ; the last of those prophets having wrote about 
441 years after the prediftion of God to Rebecca, 
concerning their posterity." 

And the apostle, in his epistle to the Romans, wher^ 
he saith, " f As it is writ ten, Jacob have I loved, but 
Esau have I hated, refers to that of Malachi as above, 
about 457 years after Malachi wrote. And in that 
chapter the apostle was labouring to convince the 
Jews, that they are not the true seed or elecSl of God 
(as they seemed to have Imagined) because they were 
the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jac b, after 
the flesh : but Esau being a rough, wild, hairy man, 
was a figure of the first birth of man after the flesh, as 
a son of the first Adam in the fall, who, in that state, 
cannot inherit the kingdom of God ^ and Jacob, a 
figure of the second birth, or regenerate state of man, 
in Christ the second Adam, who never fell, nor could 
fall : :j: For, saith the apostle^ they are not all Israel, who 
are of Israel ; neither, because they are of the seed of 
Abraham, are they all children ; but in Isaac shall thy 
seed be called : that is, they who are the children of the 
flesh, these are not the children of God \ but the chiL 
dren of the promise are counted for the seed. Now the 
promise is Christ, the Messiah, the eleft and promised 
seed of God •, of whom it is written, I, and ihe chil- 
dren which thou hast given me: which children are 
all that believe in him, as he is the man Christ Jesus, 

*Mal, i. 2, 3. t Rom. ij. 13. \ Heb. xi. iS. 

the 



1699 THOMAS STORY. • I IT 

the Son and Word of God, and light of the Gentiles j 
and are born of him, by the influence of his Holy Spi- 
rit working in them." 

This weakened our opponent, who made no suitable 
reply, but soon after went out of the house : the truth 
prevailed, and I believe several understandings were, 
in some degree, opened on that subjecl:, and some 
other points ; the people parted with us in a friendly 
manner, the better part being sensibly reached ; and 
then we departed in the peace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, to whom be the praise of all ; for of him is 
the understanding and power now and for ever. 

We went forward to Fairfield, about 20 miles, and 
lodged at the house of one Philip Lewis : he told \xs 
there was to be a great meeting of their people, and 
a quarterly le£lure in that place next day to the inha- 
bitants of seven townships, and all their ministers. 
We took notice of it, and it appeared to be right Tor 
us to attend this meeting, which we accordingly did, 
and had an opporrunlty, though not without difficulty, 
of speaking something to the people, after the minister 
had concluded his sermon. But not being easy, we 
went in the afternoon to a house in the town, where 
the ministers were met, and being received courteously,, 
we sat down, and soon entered into conversation v/ith 
them, chiefly on the subje£l of baptism; in the con« 
elusion of whichj addressing myself more particularly 
to the people present, i told them, ^^ That by using 
infant baptism, they were only in the pra£tice of a 
relick of popery, instead of an ordinance of Christ : 
for the antichristian church of Rome, imagining chil- 
dren to have original sin, and that something should 
be done to clear tlxem of it, they thought upon water 
baptism, as the efreclual means; which accordingly 
they administered : but afterwards they declined bap- 
tism, and substituted sprinkling, first to sick or weakly 
children, and by degrees to children in general. And,. 
to their new inventioDj they added several superstitious 

and 



118 LIFE OF 1699 

and ridiculous aftions and ceremonies : they appointed 
godfathers and godmothers ; the priest breathes in the 
child's face, signs him on the breast and forehead with 
the sign of the cross (but without any remaining mark) 
puts salt in his mouth, and spittle upon his ears and 
nostrils, and asks him (though he understands nothing) 
if he will renounce the devil, and all his pomps ; 
anoints him with oil on the head, shoulders, and 
breast ; and gives him a w^hite chrysom, and puts a 
hallowed candle in his hand. And the eiFefts they 
ascribe to all this are, Firsts It makes the subjeci^ 
thereof children of God, and remits both original and 
aclual sin. Secondly^ It infuseth justifying grace into 
the soul,^ with hab ts of faith, hope, and charity, and 
all supernatural gifts and virtues. Thirdly^ it makes a 
spiritual mark or charafter in the soul, which shall re- 
main for ever, either to their great joy in heaven, or 
confusion in hell. But when the Lutherans and Epis- 
copalians in England reformed from Rome, they laid 
aside the superstitious part, except godfathers, godmo- 
thers, and the sign of the cross on the forehead, which 
they still retain ; and ascribe the like effects to theii 
a£l: of sprinkling : and when your predecessors, the 
Presbyterians and Independents in England, reformed 
and dissented from tliem, they reje6led the sign of the 
cross, godfathers, godmothers, and forms of prayer 
used by the church of Enn;land, as popery and super- 
stition : but their eyes being but once touched, they- 
saw men as trees •, not perceiving that sprinkling of 
infants is popery, an antichristian invention, as well 
as the other ; which remaining unreformed by your 
first reformers, hath passed unto you of this present 
age, by tradition, still unreformed." 

After some further close conversation, the invisible 
power of the divine everlasting truth of God being over 
all, we took them kindly bv the hands, and they us, with 
mutual good wishes on both sides \ and so we parted 
'^A'ith them in friendship, and in great peace in the Lord. 

We 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 119 

We went from hence by Milford to Newhaven, 
where alighting for a refreshment, I had a concern to 
pray before v/e ate ; which several persons in the 
house took notice of, to the advantage of our profes- 
sion ; they, as many others, having been misinform- 
ed, that we never prayed, or gave thanks on such oc- 
casions. After using endeavours to have a meeting in 
this place, but without success, the magistrate not fa- 
vouring it, we proceeded on our journey to Rhode- 
Island and Boston ; near which, on a green, Vv^e ob- 
served a pair of gallows ; and being told that was the 
place where several of our friends had sufFered death 
for the truth, and had been there thrown into a hole, 
we rode a little out of the way to see it, and as we sat 
on horseback by the pit, v/e were drawn into right si- 
lence, by the avv^^'ul, yet life-giving presence of the 
Lord, which there graciously visited us together, and 
raised our minds, though in deep humility, over that 
evil spirit which murdered our friends. 

From lipston we went to Lynn, Salem, and Hamp- 
ton; here we had a m.eeting among a considerable 
number of young convinced friends, who had em.bra- 
ced the truth, for the most part, by the gospel minis- 
try of Jonah Taylor, who had been in those parts some 
time before us i and the Lord gave us a comfortable 
season among them and ethers there assem.bled. Next 
day we went to Dover, and fi*omx thence to Salisbury 
and Salem, returning to Hampton, and had a pretty 
large meeting ; the sum. of my testimony being against 
that ^^ drowsy, lukewarm^ indifferent spirit, which had 
overtaken some ; with an exhortation to the old con- 
vinced, not to rest in that condition, lest they might 
lose their crowns, and become stumbling blocks in the 
way of the weak then under convincement ; and to 
the young, that they should mind the Lord alone ; and 
that if they should espy any thing amiss in any onr, 
-who had for a long or short time professed the trut>, 
either in conversation, or in meetings ; vrhether in --the 

vanity 



120 LIFE OF 1699 

vanity of one, or indifference of the other ; or in 
coming to meeting, or neghgence when in them, they 
should not look out at the faiUngs of others, but to 
the Lord for help ; to whom we must all stand or fall, 
and answer for ourselves, and not for another." 

Though at first my concern was a little hard, *we 
had a tender tim.e in the melting truth j several, both 
young and old, being broken : and I went away well 
and easy, blessed be the Lord for ever ! After this, I 
went to Cachecah, and Dover; and on the 1st of 6th 
montli had a large good meeting at Aimsbury ; in the 
conclusion of which, one Josiah Ring expressed a dis- 
satisfa6licn about some things we hold in religion, 
which occasioned some conversation on various sub- 
jefts before the people. 

He objefted to this principle which we profess, viz. 
«^ That Christ dwells in his people •," and to prove the 
absurdity of it, as he thought, brought that scripture, 
where Thomas and the apo ties, doubting of the bo- 
dily appearance of Christ after his resurreftion, the 
Lord said to them, " A spirit hath not fesh a?ul boneSj 
*^ as ye see me havcp Now, saith he, since Christ hath 
flesh and bones, as we have, how can he be in every 
one of you ? 

Upon this I desired the people to be still, and said, 
*' This man s imagination, concerning Christ's being 
in his people, is very gross and carnal, and not at all 
as we understand it ; for we speak of the light and 
spirit of Christ (which discovers sin in men, good and 
evil, right and wrong in matte s of religion ; and leads 
into all truth, and out of all error, in things respeft- 
ing our own salvation, as the same is received, believed 
in, and obeyed) and not of his human body : but as the 
body of the sun is at a great distance in the open fir- 
mament yet his light and influence shines over and 
a F^6i s all the earth, and into many thousands of houses 
a;id places at the same time ; and in what proportion 
the light shineth into any house, by the same propor- 
tion 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 121 

tion is the virtue, influence, and power of the sun 
there dispensed : and so, and infinitely more, it is 
with Christ, whose holy body, though far remote from 
us, yet his spirit is every where, in all hearts ; and he 
is the Word of God^ and true Light that light eth every 
man that cometh into the world ; * the mystery which hath 
been hid from ages and generations^ but is noiv made ma^ 
nifest to his saints : to whom God would make known . 
ivhat is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the 
Gentiles (of whose offspring we are) v/hich is, Christ 
in youy the hope of glory J^ 

After some further conversation with him, in which 
he shewed great confusion, he w^ent out of the com- 
pany ; and soon after a sober young man came to me, 
and said, " I have heard what you said this day in the 
meeting, and many things I liked •, but one thing I am 
not satisfied in ; that which you call spiritual, I call 
natural \ You said, that which reproves sin in man- 
kind is sufficient for salvation, provided it be believed 
in and obeyed ; which I cannot receive : for that sciip- 
ture will be against you, where it is said, f When the 
Gentiles y which have not a lawy do by nature the things 
contained in the law ; these y having not the laWy are a 
laiv unto themselves y ivhich shew the ivork of the lam^ 
written in their hearts^ 

" Now," said he, «^ that which reproves sin, the 
Gentiles had before Christ came, even from the be- 
ginning : how then can that be the spirit of Christ, 
but only the law, the same that reproves men novv^ ? 
It is the remains of that righteousness that was in 
Adam, in his state of creation, before he fell." I an- 
swered, ^^ That if he rightly considered that righte- 
ousness which was in Adam before he fell, it is the 
same which the saints and people of God now have, 
after they are restored out of the fall. The better to 
understand this, let us observe what John the Evan- 

* Col. i. a6, z;. t Rom. ii. 14, 

L gelist 



122 LIFE OF 1699 

gelist saith concerning Christ the Word of God : * In 
the beginning was the TVordy and the Wo7'd ivas ivith 
Gody and the Word nvas God, In him was lifey and the 
life was the light of men ; and the light shifieth in dark- 
ness y and the darkness coj?iprehefjded it not. That was 
the true lights which Ughteth every man that cometh into 
the world. Atid the Word was made fleshy and dwelt 
among us (and we beheld his glory ^ the glory as of the 
only begotten of the Father ^ full of grace afid truth. And 
of his fulness have all w^e received ^ and grace for grace. 
For the law was given by Moses ^ but grace and truth 
came by Jesus Christ. 

<^ The word, wisdom, and power of God therefore, 
clothed and veiled with a reasonable soul, and human 
flesh, is Jesus Christ, born into this world by the bless- 
ed Virgin Mary : this Word is the righteousness of 
God, which was light and wisdom in Adam before 
he fell; and by whom God judged and condemned 
Adam for sin, in disobeying and departing from this 
word, light, and life, through unbelief and aftual 
transgression : it was by the light and life of this 
Word, that God, the Father of all, strove w^ith the 
old world, to reclaim them, as by a law written in 
them, and against which they likewise rebelled ; 
•whereby the Almighty was provoked at length to de- 
stroy them by a flood, save righteous Noah (who had 
not ofl^ended) and his family. 

<^ And, after the flood, the same law of light and 
life was still with and in the posterity of Noah and 
his family, by which they had the knowledge of God, 
of the creation, and of moral righteousness •, and to 
which, being obedient, they were ruled and governed 
thereby for a time : it was by this divine nature in 
their hearts, and not by their own fallen and corrupt 
nature, that they did the things contained in the mo- 
ral law •, but by degrees they likewise degenerated, as 

* John i. I. &c. 

the 



1699 THQMAS STORY. 125 

the old world did, and departed from the law of light 
which gave them that knowledge j *" Because^ that 
. ivhen they \nenv Gody they glorified him not as God ; nei- 
ther were thafihfu!^ but became vain in their imagina- 
tions^ and departing, from that lights their foolish hearts 
were darkened j and they became darkness. And even as 
they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, 
God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those 
things which are not convenient. In the mean time, 
God made choice of Abraham and his posterity, in 
whom to restore this law of light and life. And to 
the children of Israel being in bondage, God added 
the law of moral righteousness, by the mediation of 
Moses, his servant, written on tables of stone by the 
finger of God, which the people received as reasona- 
ble and good ; yet, being inwardly departed from the 
light and life of the Di'vlne Vv^ord, that outward law 
could not give them life, but condemnation \ for they 
could not keep it, in the state tliey were in : and there- 
fore the Almighty, in justice and mercy, restored to 
them a manifestation of the same word, and light and 
life in him. This is the eternal word and command- 
ment of God, preached by Moses in that day unto 
Israel in the wilderness, of whom he saith, f This com- 
mandment^ luhich I command thee this day^ it is not hid- 
den from thee ; neither is it far off : it is not in heaven^ 
that thou shouldst say^ Who shall go up for us into heaven^ 
end britig it unto us^ that we may hear it and do it ? 
Neither is it beyond the sea^ that thou shouldst say^ Who 
shall go over the sea for us^ and bring it unto us^ that we 
may hear it and do it P But the word is very nigh unto 
thee^ in thy mouthy and in thy hearty that thou mayest do 
it, 

" In this manner was Christ preached by Moses 
many ages before he came in the flesh ; and, after he 

* Rom. i. %i. f Deut. xxx. ii, &c. 

did 



124 LIFE OF 1699 

did so come, was preached in the same way by the 
apostle Paul •, for the same that Moses preached as the 
commandment and the word, the apostle calleth Christ, 
and the word of faith which they preached j and which 
they knew no more after the flesh, after they had 
preached him come in the flesh •, but, consequently, as 
he is the luord of Gody light of the world y divine truth y 
and quickening spirit. 

" And again, * All Israel did eat the same spiritual 
7nmty and did all drink the same spiritual drink (for they 
drank of that spiritual rock that followed thenty and that 
rock was Christ ) : and this is also the same of which 
he speaketh, where he saith, f Whosoever drinketh of 
the water that I shall give himy shall never thirst ; but 
the water that I shall give himy shall be in hitn a well of 
water springing up into everlasting life. 

<^ And X in the last dayy that great day of the feast y 
jfesus stood and criedy sayingy If any man thirsty let him 
come unto mey and drink. He that believeth on mcy as the 
scripture hath saidy out of his belly shall flow rivers of 
living water. iBut this spake he of the spirit y which they 
that believe on him should receive ; for the Holy Ghost 
luas not yet giveny because that Jesus was not yet glori^ 
fled. 

<^ But the Jews rebelled against the light, spirit, and 
word of God, so preached unto them by Moses ; and 
therefore the law without could not save them : yet 
the righteous and miOst merciful Creator did not for- 
sake them for ever, but opened a door of hope by his 
gracious promises, that they might believe and obey 
when they came to pass : § Behold the days comcy saith 
the Lordy that I will make a new covenant with the house 
of Israel y and with the house of Judah ; but this shall be 
the covenant y I will put my law in their inward parts y 



* I Cor. X. 3, 4. f John iv. 14. \ Ibid. vii. 37, &c. 

§ Jer. xxxi. 31, 3X» 

and 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 125 

and write it in their hearts^ and will be their Godj and 
they shall be my people. Again, 1 wilt put my fear in 
their hearts^ that they shall not depart from me, 

" And the Almighty remembered likewise the 
apostate and benighted Gentiles, promising unto them 
also the same law and covenant of light, by the same 
mediator 5 * / the Lord have called thee in righteousness^ 
and will hold thy handy a?td will keep thee^ and give thee 
for a covenant of the people^ for a light of the Gefitiles, 
And he saidy it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my 
servant y to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the 
preserved of Israel ; I will also give thee for a light to the 
Gentiles y that thou may est be my salvation unto the ends of 
the earth, 

^^ Now this covenant^ and the messenger thereof) 
is the same, of whom it is said to the Jews, f There-- 
fore the Lot^d himself shall give you a sign: Behold j a. 
virgin shall conceivCy and hear a son^ and shall call his- 
name ImmanueL And to both Jews and Gentiles, % Be-- 
hold my servant whom I upholdy mine^leB in whom my 
soul delight eth, Lhave put my spirit upon him^ he' shall 
bring forth judgmejit to the Gentiles, ^ 

" This is he, of whom it was said, seven hundred 
years before he came, § Unto us a child is born, unto us 
a son is giveny and the government shall be upon his shoul- 
ders, Whe spake unto the Father in spirit, sayings 
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not ; but a body hast 
thou prepared me. This is the Lord Jesus Christ, born. 
of the Virgin Mary, who, by command of the Father^ 
wrought all those wonders attributed to him in the 
Holy Scriptures, and offered himself upon the cross;^ 
at Jerusalem, a propitiation for the sins of the ^whole 
world. This is the light of the Gentiles, in whom 
they are to believe and trust ; the mediator of the new 
covenant, not of works, but of ^ light and life from 



* I=^a. xlii. 6. xlix. 6. f Ibid. vii. 14. \ Ibid. xtii. l> 

§ Ibid. ix. 6, 

L2 God3 



126 LIFE OF 1^9 

God, not that which is natural, but eternal. The 
true witness of God ; the finger and power of God, 
by which he writeth and restoreth the law of righte- 
ousness -J the law of the spirit of life, which makes 
free from the law of sin and death ; and which the 
law without, given by Moses, could not do. This was 
the law and word of life that was in Adam before he 
fell. The divine, immortal, and unchangeable truth of 
God, which reproves the world cf sin^ of righteousness^ 
mid of judgme?it^ that manifests sin in all mankind ; 
and, for want of faith, love, and obedience to this di- 
vine lawy light y and word of Gody the faithless and 
disobedient world remains in condemnation by that 
word : as saith the Son of God, * He that believeth on 
him is not co?ide?nned ; but he that believeth not is con- 
demned already y because he hath not believed in the name of 
the only begotten Soti of God, And this is the condemna- 
tion y that light is come into the worldy and men loved dark- 
ness rather than light y because their deeds ivere evil. He 
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life ; and he that 
believeth not the Sony shall not see life ; but the wrath of 
God abideth on him, 

'« And as the mystery of iniquity began to work in 
the days of the apostles, so there were many antichrists 
even then in the world, who went out from the apos- 
tles, and their doflrine, and from the teaching of the 
grace and spirit of God, the holy anointing which 
teacheth all things •, they turned their ears from the 
truth, and gave ear to fables, heaping to themselves 
teachers after their hearts lusts, having itching ears \ 
they went back under the law of types, which was 
ended by the law of liberty, through Christ Jesus oKr 
Lord." 

During the time that passed on these subjefts, the 
people were very sober ; and the young man, being 
deeply under the effefts of a wrong education and 

* John iii, x8, 19, &c. 

traditiofli 



W 



li>9e THOMAS STORY. rJtT 

tradition, replied, " That faith in this light cannot be 
sufficient ; Jor except a man be born again^ he cannot see 
the kingdom of God^ 

«^ That is true •, but seeing we must be born again, 
we cannot do that of ourselves \ there is none that can 
do it for us but God : and he doth that great work by 
the word of his wisdom and power, which is Christ, 
the light of the intelleftual world •, the sun of righte- 
ousness, and glorious luminary of the mind : we are 
to believe in him, that we may be born again of him, 
who is the second x\dam, the Lord from heaven, the 
<}uickening spirit •, as it is written, While ye have lights 
believe in the lights that ye may be children of the light ; 
and if children^ then heirs ^ heirs of Gcd^ and joint-heirs 
nvith Christ. But it reasonably followeth, that if no 
faith in this divine light, then no children of God 
through him who is that light, and elect seed of God \ 
and if not children, then not heirs of God, nor of his 
promises \ which are all unto this divine seed, and all 
true in him : and if we do not believe in the word of 
God, we cannot please him, nor be created anew 
unto good works by him ; which are indispensable 
unto every child of God, as the evidence of that faith, 
and work of regeneration in the mJnd : "^ Tobe carnally 
minded is death ; but to be spiritually minded is life and 
peaccy through Jesus Christ our Lord^ Christ testifieth 
of himself. That he is the light of the world ^ and the 
apostles of Christ were sent by him, to testify, that 
God is light, and to turn mankind from darkness to 
that light ; from the power of Satan unto God \ from 
that darkness and ignorance which had covered the 
earth, and from that gross darkness w^ich had cover- 
ed the people, unto the Son of God, and unto the 
Father by him. So then, in order to our being born 
from above, there must first be faith in Christ, as he 
is the divinl light, and second covenant of God , and 

* Rom. viii, 6. 

the 



ns LIFE OT 1699 

the first work in this light in man toward that faith, is 
the manifestation, reproof, and condemnation of sin in 
the heart, mind, and understanding of man : For all 
th'mgs that are reproved are made manifest by the light ; 
for (after the manner of men) whatsoever doth make 
manifest is light, 

<^ Thus the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures con- 
cur clearly to the truth of this most needful doftrine, 
that the reprover of sin in the mind and understanding 
of man, is not man himself; neither is it the evil one, 
who tempts man to sin : for then he would be both 
tempter and reprover, and divided against himself; 
and even that way his kingdom and power could not 
stand V but it is the divine light and spirit of Christ, 
that sin may be manifested, reproved, become exceed- 
ing sinful, and condemned ; and, through faith in the 
manif ester and reprover, be forsaken, pardoned, re- 
mitted, and by the work of the Holy Spirit of Christ 
fully removed, and the minds of mankind purified, and 
made lucid as the day, and formed into light in the 
Lord." 

In the conclusion of this I felt the weight removed 
from off my spirit, and the love and goodness of truth 
to arise towards the young man ; and he took me 
kindly by the hand, and said, " He had other points 
to have discoursed, but would now leave them." But 
I believe the m.ain objeftion was removed, for he de- 
parted chearfui : some others also, who seemed to have 
had something to say, when they had heard these 
things, were silent ; and all ended in peace, to the 
glory of the Lord, whose service and honour, and the 
common good of mankind, through the gruce of God, 
we only aim at in all these things. 

We spent some time in these parts, and went to 
Boston, Lynn, Scituate, to Rhode-Island, and through 
the colony of Coiincfticut. At some places we met 
with opposers, and had occasion to vindicate the trutli 
against the slanders of some envious persons. 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 129 

At Tinning we had a meeting on occasion of a mar- 
riage, where some Ranters came, and made a disturb- 
ance ; one of them stood up, and bare his testimony, 
as he called it, against our set forms ^ and cried for li- 
berty to the oppressed seed, Which, said he, is op- 
pressed with your forms : meaning the manner of the 
celebration of our marriages, generally approved by 
mankind as the most decent of all. Now that which 
those Ranters would be at, is a liberty to all that pro- 
fess truth, to do what they list without being re- 
proved, or accountable to any person or people : foiv 
say they, to be accountable to man is bondage ; and 
for man to judge is vain, since those actions he may 
censure, may be done in the motion of the holy seed 
and spirit of Christ : under which pretence they would 
cover many lewd and vile practices, by reason where- 
of we had sometimes been upbraided and reproached 
in Connefticut colony, v/here some of them in times 
past had appeared under the name of Quakers. We 
said not much to them, truth being over them i and 
the meeting ended v/ell. 

We went after this to Jericho, Jerusalem, and other 
places, having meetings ; at Nev/town v/e had a meet- 
ing, in which friends were much aftected with trouble 
at the account given by my companion .Roger Gill, in 
liis testimony, of many being taken away at Philadel- 
phia by a pestilential fever, then greatly prevalent, ten 
being buried in one day, and four died on the same 
day ; several of them_ being good friends y his testi- 
mony was by way of warning to friends in that meet- 
ing, to be prepared to meet the Lord, if peradventure 
the stroke of his hand might reach those parts. And 
tlien Samuel Jennings reminded the meeting, that it 
was no new nor strange thing for the people of God to 
suffer in common calamities : but the love and favour 
of God being assured to them, whether life or death 
ensued, as it might best please the Lord, there was 
no occasion of fear, or to be dismayed at such things^ 

especially 



ISO LIFE OF 169^ 

especially to those who were prepared, as the apostle, 
when he said, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is 
gain. And that, since a translation through death to 
life is the exceeding great gain of the saints, we have 
no ground to repine at the loss of their society here, 
thojgh most grateful, but rather patiently and with 
diligence wait upon the Lord, till it may become our 
own lot. 

From this time my companion was very desirous of 
going to Philadelphia to the distressed friends ^ but I 
kept to our purpose, settled before we heard of their 
condition and exercise. We went to New-York,. 
Woodbridge, and Burlington, being met in the way 
by some friends from thence, here we heard more and 
more of the sad efrefts of the pestilential distemper 
still prevailing at Philadelphia. My companion went 
from hence direftiy to Philadelphia, and after having 
some meetings in the way, I arrived there, and found 
him well, but many friends on their sick and dying 
pillows ; yet much of the settled, remaining presence 
of the Lord was with them at that time : such is the 
goodness of God to his people, that in their bodily, or 
any other aiHi£tions, his holy presence greatly abates 
the exercises of nature, by its divine consolation. 

O the love that flowed in my soul to several in the 
times of my visits to them ! in which I was lifted over 
all fear of the contagion, and yet not without an aw- 
ful regard toward the Lord therein. In this distemper 
had died six, seven, and sometimes eight a day, for 
sevei'al weeks together ; and the yearly meeting being 
to begin there next day, we had some exercise and con- 
sultation about it, arising from the prevalency of the 
distemper in the city at that time ; and yet not much 
in the country. Some friends had therefore wrote 
from Burlington, proposing to friends at Philadelphia 
that the meeting should be adjourned to a cooler time ; 
to which it was answered, " That till the meeting was 
^^ come together, they had no power to adjourn; but 

^< thought. 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 131 

«< thought it might do well to discourage, in all places, 
<« the great numbers of young people and servants that 
^^ usually come to town on those occasions ; and such 
^< only to come as were necessarily concerned in the 
<^ service of the meetings, because of the great infec- 
<< tion, and incapacity of friends and inns in the town, 
*< at such a junfture, to lodge and entertain them, there 
«^ being few (if any) houses free from the sickness." 

In the morning meeting of ministers and elders, on 
the seventh day of the week, at Philadelphia, we v/ere 
under great concern about holding of the meeting in 
the usual tim.e generally known, or whether better to 
suspend it ; and as we waited on the Lord for coun- 
sel, the testimony of truth went generally against the 
adjournment, or suspension; and the Lord's presence 
was greatly with us to the end, though some opposi- 
tion we met v/ith from the prudentially wise men 
among us then present, who consulted their own rea- 
son, but not the truth •, who hath all power, and can 
do and prevent what he'pleaseth. 

Accordingly the next day, being the first of the 
week, the meeting v/a? held, and was large, all cir- 
cumstances considered ; and the Lord so evidently ap- 
peared with us, that there was no room left for doubt, 
but that it was his will we should hold our meeting, 
and serve God therein, as well in time of adversity 
and affliftion as in prosperity, and less seeming dan- 
ger. ^ 

Friends were generally much comforted in the di- 
vine truth, and the fear of the contagion was much 
taken away, and the testimony of truth was exceeding 
glorious in several instruments, and over the meeting 
in general, and so continued to the end ; which was 
the first, second, and third days for worship, and the 
fourth for business ; which was m.anaged in wisdom 
and unanimity, and ended in sweetness and concord : 
as becomes all meetings of the people of God every 
where. 

But 



132 LIFE OP 1699 

But that which was very remarkable, was, that 
though the distemper was very raging and prevalent 
all the week before, yet there was not one taken ill 
<luring the whole time of the meeting, either of those 
who came there on that occasion, or of the people of 
the town, that could be remembered by such friends 
as made observation ; and yet presently after there 
were many taken ill thereof in town, and several died, 
but few in comparison of what had died before ^ and 
a little after that, it was finally stopped by the good 
hand of Divine Providence. 

My companion and I both remained in town for 
some time, visiting the sick friends, as we found ne- 
cessary or expedient : and great was the presence of 
the love of God with this people, in the midst of this 
trying visitation ; which gave us occasion to say, Good 
is the Lord^ and g7'eatly to be feared^ loved and obeyed ; 
for though he suffers afBiftions to come upon his own 
chosen people, in common with other men \ yet that, 
which otherwise would be intolerable, is made as no- 
thing, by how much the sense thereof is swallowed 
up and immerged in his divine love. O the melting 
love ! O the immortal sweetness I enjoyed with seve- 
ral, as they lay under the exercise of the devouring 
evil (though unspeakably comforted in the Lord) : let 
my soul remember it, and wait low before the Lord to 
the end of my days ! Great was the majesty and hand 
of the Lord ! Great was the fear that fell upon all 
flesh ! I saw no lofty or airy coun,tenance ; nor heard 
any vain jesting, to move men to laughter ; nor witty 
repartee, to raise mirth •, nor extravagant feasting, to 
excite the lusts and desires of the flesh above measure : 
but every face gathered paleness, and many hearts were 
hambled, and countenances fallen and sunk, as such 
that waited every moment to be summoned to the bar, 
and numbered to the grave. But the just appeared 
with opc^n face, and walked upright in the streets, and 
rejoiced in secret, in that perfect love that casteth out 

fear; 



1699 THOMAS 5TORY. 13S 

fear ; and sang praises to him who liveth and reigneth^ 
and is worthy for ever ! being resigned unto his holy 
will in all things ; saying, Let it be as thou n.uilt^ in time 
and eternity ! noiv and for evermore. Nor love of the 
world, nor fear of death, could hinder their resigna- 
tion, abridge their confidence, or cloud their enjoy- 
ments in the Lord. 

My companion now was taken ill, and appeared to 
be under symptoms of the common distemper. Some 
meetings being appointed, I could not stay with him ; 
and though he told me, when I took leave of him, he 
was pretty easy, and not very ill \ yet I departed un- 
der a great load upon my spirit, and suspe£led the 
worst, for he had prayed in the yearly meeting with 
great zeal and earnestness, *^ Ihat the Lord would be 
*^ pleased to accept of his life as a sacrifice for his peo- 
*^ pie, that a stop might be put to the contagion ;'' and 
therein appeared his great love and concern for friends, 
whom he had come so far to see. 

I went to Burlin^^ton, and had a pretty large meet- 
ing at John Shin's ; and returning to Philadelphia, in 
a few days, I found my com.panion very ill, and my 
concern for the yearly meeting in IMaryland increasing., - 
it came very near to me to leave him in these circumx- 
stances : but having duly considered every part, and 
finding I could not be of much service to him, I took 
leave of him., though not without being greatly aiFeci- 
ed \ and in the company of several friends set forv/ard 
for Maryland, having meetings in the v/ay, and the 
Lord's comfortable presence was with us, to the praise 
of his own holy name, who liveth, and is worthy to 
reign for ever ! In about a week's time I had the af« 
fliftmg news of the death of my companion. Rotter 
Gill, at Philadelphia *, at Vv^hich my soul was greatly 
bowed, and my heart tendered, so that the ground 
whereon I sat was watered with my tears ; in the con- 
clusion whereof I was fully satisfied he had obtained a 
crown of everlasting peace with the Lord; and that his 

M memory 



134 LIFE OT 1699 

memory should not rot, nor his living testimony fall 
in those American parts, wherein we had laboured 
together, from Carolina to New-England ; where 
many hearts had been tendered by him, and souls 
comforted, and several convinced ; and all through 
that divine power by which he is now raised to glory, 
to sing praises to him who sitteth on the throne, and 
ruleth, and reigneth, and is alone worthy, for ever and 
ever ! Amen ! 

This afforded matter of deep humiliation, and con- 
sideration, how long and often the Lord had spared 
me, and to what end •, since I have no interest in the 
world, nor any thing for the enjoyment whereof I 
could desire to live ; but that it may please the Lord 
and giver of life to spare mine, till I may be more lit 
to appear with my accounts before him. 

Y^e went to the yearly meeting at Choptank : to one 
of the meetings camiC an episcopal priest, and with 
him several justices of the peace, a colonel, and a great 
company of gentry, of both sexes; and a mighty great 
croud of people there was. Many things opened in 
my mind, which there I delivered : ^' Of the fall of 
man through temptation, unbelief, and disobedience ; 
of the love and mercy of God still towards him ; of 
the various dispensations of God for the restoration of 
man, viz. the manifestations and strivings of the Spirit 
of God wi h the old world ; the law of Moses -, the 
ceremonial, and judicial or civil parts of it •, of Christ, 
the antitype of all the figures, and ful filler of them, 
and of the whole law, first in himself, and then in all 
v/ho believe in him, and obey j of the life, death, suf- 
ferings, resurre£llon, ascension, glorification, and in- 
tercession of Christ ; of his dying as a propitiation for 
the sins of the v/hole world y of universal, saving grace 
by him ; of the faith of the Gentiles in him, the word 
that took flesh, and is the true light that llghteth every 
man that cometh into the world •, that makes a disco- 
very of sin in the understandings of mankind, and 

reproves 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 13.5 

reproves them for it in secret, when no man can ac- 
cuse : of the baptism of John, and of Christ's bap- 
tism \ the former with water unto repentance, pro- 
posing Christ, not then made manifest, as the objedt 
of faith, when come, or manifested •, and the latter 
With the Holy Spirit 5 how the apostles of Christ fell 
in with John in the administration of water baptism, 
not in the name of one to come, or unknown, but in 
the name of Jesus, whom they declared to be the 
Messiah, for the remission of sins ^ with many other 
particular things for the cleai"ing of that subject.'* 
During all which the people were very still and atten- 
tive y and the meeting ended in peace without inter- 
ruption. 

After a meeting at Little Choptank, we had some 
discourse with a justice of peace, and a lawyer; and 
informed them further concerning our principles, and 
particularly of our sentiments concerning human go- 
verment ; of our loyalty, and inoffensive demeanour 
under all governments, in any form, aftively, or pas- 
sively ; and that where aflive obedience could not be 
yielded, when any thing contrary to our religion and 
consciences, and duty to God, was commanded or re- 
quired by any law, then submission was never want- 
ing, nor refused, though to the loss of all. 

Upon this an attorney at law asserted, " That all 
men were bound in conscience to give active obedience 
to all laws made by the legislature of any government 
where they lived:" but oflFered no reason for his 
opinion. I answered, ^« That according to this all 
the faithful primitives were wrong, who never com- 
plied with the laws of the Heathens made against them 
and their religion ; but suffered cruel deaths, in con- 
fessing the true God, and the Lord Jesus, especially 
under the two emperors, in the tenth general persecu-- 
tion : and thereby he condemned all the Protestants, 
and others, as worthy of 'those punishments inflicted 
upon them by Papists, on account of their religious 

sentiments, 



136 LIFE OF 1699 

sentiments, being contrary to their national and eccle- 
siastical laws^ to which those sufferers could not, be- 
cause of their known duty to God and Christ, give 
any aftive, but only passive, obedience and non-resist- 
ance, though infli<9:ed by the force of the statute, De 
H^retico Comburenda ; whereby many of the people of 
the nation, who were then of the same religion of the 
present national church, v>ere destroyed. And if they 
ought to have given aftive obedience to that, and such 
other persecuting laws, then their blood v/as upon their 
own heads, being justly shed for their disobedience ; 
wh-ch would be a very severe and unchristian opinion, 
and therefore to be rejefled ; and being attended with 
such consequences, thou wouldst do well to lay it 
aside, and entertain it no more." 

Aaron Atkinson being now with me, we went to 
Nanticoke River, Minny Creek, Muddy Creek, and 
other places in tliese parts, having meetings in a good 
degree to our comfort and satisfa£lion, till we came to 
Philadelphia. I remained here till the 2d of the 11th 
month, and then went in company of the governor, 
and other friends, to a general meeting at Haverford, 
among the Welch; wherein we met with great re- 
freshment, and comfort in the good presence of the 
Lord. 

After this I was at other places, as German Town, 
Darby, New- Fovv^n, New-\' ork, &c. and had meet- 
ings. And on the 19th of the 12th month I went to 
Burlington, where we met with William Penn, to our 
mutual satisfaflion ; on the 2 1 st I went to a three- 
weeks m.eeting at Joshua Humphrey's, on Northamp- 
ton River; on the 26th to a quarterly meeting at 
William Beedle s, at Mount Hope ; it was large, and 
the Lord v/as pleased to own us with his good pre- 
sence. At this meeting, a woman, who had been de^ 
ceived by George Keith, and followed him in his apos- 
tasy from the truth, acknowledged her outgoings with 
many tears, and her great loss of the consolation she 

had 



1699 THOMAS STORY. 137 

had formerly enjoyed in the good presence of the Lord 
among his people 5 and, in great humility, tenderness^ 
and true repentance, desired to be restored, and accept- 
ed again into unity with friends : she was accordingly 
accepted, and restored in the spirit of meekness and 
love, to her great satisfadion, and likewise that of 
friends. 

On the Slst I returned again to Philadelphia. Ha- 
ving, through the grace of God, thus finished the visit 
to friends and others in those northern narts of Ensr- 
lish America (which had been incumbent upon me for 
some years before I came from Europe) and ready to 
return to England, my true and honourable friend^ 
William Penn, finding the aiFairs of his province very 
much embarrassed, and perplexed several v/ays; and 
the resped he bare me as a friend, suggested to him 
an opinion of greater abilities in such matters than I 
was endued with; he became very im.portunate with 
me to remain there for some time, to give him what 
assistance I could therein : and to the like purpose I 
had letters from several judicious friends of my ac- 
quaintance, both in England and Ireland ; who v/ere 
concerned for the honour of truth, with regard to the 
just and reputable settlement of affairs in Pennsylva- 
nia^ which had been in much disorder a long time^ 
by reason of the absence of the proprietor ; occasion- 
ed by the many and great persecutions and troubles he 
had been under, on various accounts, for many years, 
not only in England, but likewise in his own province, 
by false brethren, and an apostate company ; who de- 
serted the truth of God, and equity, with that Vv iiful 
transgressor, George Keith. 

I having a very great love and respeft for the pro- 
prietor, and not under any engagem.ent in m.yself to 
return immediately to England ; and seeing I might 
probably be of som.e service there, and elsewhere in 
America, on several accounts, by staying for some • 
time ; and the friends in the country being also gene- 

M.2- Ta% 



1S8 LIFE OF 1699 

rally desirous I should, my companion having de- 
parted this life, I consented to stay so long as I might 
see it in my place j and being altogether unengaged 
in any business, and a proper subsistence necessary, 
the governor appointed me to be a member of the 
council of state of the province ; but as there was not 
any income or advantage arising thereby, but loss of 
time^ and divers fatigues, exercises, and troubles at- 
tending that place of empty honour, he made me 
keeper of the great seal, master of the rolls for the re- 
cording of all patents, and of the other office for the 
enrolling of deeds, and one of his commissioners of 
property, for enquiring into and confirming old rights, 
and granting lands upon nevi^ purchases j with proviso 
in my patent for those offices, to have deputies therein 
respedlively, when, and so often as my calling in the 
truth, and service thereof, might require it j and the 
rest of the commissioners of property, being persons 
of integrity, were always to be my deputies in the of- 
iice of the seal. And the governor, knowing me him- 
self, did not insist upon any other security from me 
than my own word, to be faithful in those several 
posts, and to execute those oihces truly : under these 
circvimstances I settled there for a time, and fell also 
into much business in my own way of conveyancing. 
And besides, before the proprietor returned to Eng- 
land, which was in about two years after his arrival in 
the country, he granted a charter to the inhabitants of 
Philadelphia, and thereby ere6led the town into a city 
or corporation, with divers ample privileges, and ap- 
pointed me the first recorder thereof in the original 
patent •, but being averse to that station, I resigned it 
as soon as the corporation was regularly settled, and 
habituated to their business. 

These offices not obliging me to any close confine- 
ment to the various business of them, I visited the 
meetings, from time to time, in town and country, 
and aleo in the Jerseys, a3 opportunity oiFered, and 

need 



1702 THOMAS STORY. 139 

need required, until the 15th of 5th months 1702, and 
then went for Long-Isiand^ where 1 had meetings to 
a considerable degree of comfort and satisfaction. At 
Fairfield I had a large meeting, and a good time 
among the people ; some of the heads of v/hat I had 
to say were after this manner: 

^^ For the word of God is quick atni powerfuly ojid 
sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the 
dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and 
marrow) ; and is a disceriier of the thoughts and intents of 
the heart : neither is there any creature that is not mani^ 
fest in his sight ; hut all things are naked, and open urdo 
the eyes of hitn, with whom we have to do^^ 

^^ That this word is Christ, in his divine and spiritual 
appearance in the hearts of mankind j of which the 
evangelist bears testimony, That he was in the beginning 
with God, and was God ; that all things w^ere made by 
him ; that in him was life, and the life was tihe light 
of men •, that he is the true light, that lightei!^ every* 
man that cometh into the world ; that he was in the 
world, and the world was m.ade by him, and the world 
knew him not : and that this divine w^ord was m^ade 
flesh, (or assumed the proper nature of man, a reason- 
able soul, and human body) and dvv^elt among them, 
full of grace and truth ; and of his fulness have ail we 
received, and grace for grace. This is the only be- 
gotten Son of God, to whom all mankind are diretled 
by the Father, according to the prophet of old^ where 
he saith, — -Behold my >>ervant whom I uphold, mine 
Ele£l in whom my soul delighteth -, I have put my 
spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the 
Gentiles. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created 
the heavens, and stretched them out -, he that spread 
forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it •, he 
that giveth breath to the-people upon it, and spirit to 
them that walk therein ; I the Lord have called thee, 
in righteousness, and will hold thine hand^ and w^ill 

keep 



UO LIFE OF 17G2 

keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the psople^ 
for a light of the Ge?itiles. 

^^ This is he, the same who was crucified in the 
flesh at Jerusalem, according to the testimony of holy 
writ, and as a propitiation for the sins of the whole 
world. This is he, who being promised a light to the 
Gentiles, and all direfted unto him as such, as to the 
saving object of their faith, and covenant of light and 
life v/ith the Father ; all must believe in him, obey 
and follow him in the way of regeneration, or else 
they cannot have salvation by him. : as it is also writ* 
ten, ^ By grace ye are saved y through faith ; and that not 
of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works of 
righteousness which we have done, but according to 
his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, 
and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on 
us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour J 

" And as the Son of God hath already told us, that 
a good rnan^ out of the good treasure of the heart, bring* 
eth forth good things *, and an evil man, out of the 
evil treasure of the heart, bringeth forth evil things : 
but I say unto you, that every idle word that men 
shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the 
day of judgment : for by thy, words thou shalt be jus* 
tified, and by thy words thou shalt he condemned. And 
all at last must be judged according to their v/orks. 
Let us therefore take the advice of the apostle, where 
he saith. Let no corrupt communicatio7i proceed out of 
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edi- 
fying, that it miay minister grace unto the hearers ; and 
do likewise that which is good in the sight of God and 
good men." 

I went from this place to Flushing, Oyster Bay, &c. 
having m.eetings. At Westbury, being the quarterly 
meeting, we had good service ; and the business of 
the meeting being all finished, the day following, be- 
ing the first of the week, the Lord, in the riches of his 

goodness, 



1703-4 THOMAS STORY. Ul 

goodness, gave us a glorious meeting in his presence ; 
many hundreds of friends, and abundance of other 
people were there, and generally satisfied j many things 
of importance in religion being clearly opened by the 
wisdom and power of truth that day ; to the praise of 
the holy name of the living Lord, who alone is worthy 
for ever ! 

On the 7th of the 7th month I came by Burlington 
to Philadelphia, where, having ordered my aifairs, 
visited some meetings in the country, and attended the 
service of the yearly meetings 1 went to the yearly 
meeting at Shrewsbury, in East Jersey, to which a 
message came in writing from George Keith (who 
was now become of the national church, and had taken 
deacon's orders) challenging friends to meet him, and 
ansv/er to his charges of error that he had to make 
against us. To which v/e replied, ^^ That as he had 
begun to print against us, we should, as hitherto, an- 
swer him that way : which appeared to us best, for 
general information, and least liable to misunderstand- 
ings, misrepresentations, and exceptions." 

After the meeting at Shrewsbury, I returned to Phi- 
ladelphia, and remained in my business ; and, at pro- 
per times and seasons, attended the meetings in Penn- 
sylvania and West Jersey, as I found concern and 
ability, until the 29th of 12th month, 1703-4, and 
then began a journey from Philadelphia for New-Eng- 
land, on the service of the truth ; that night I lodged 
at Burlington, and next day v/as at a meeting there ; 
from thence went to Croswichton and Woodbridge, 
&c. into Long-Island, where, this year, our friend, 
Samuel Bownas, being come over from England to 
visit friends in America, in his testimony, had spoken 
against the error of sprinkling infants ; and concern- 
ing what are called the sacraments ; of which the go- 
vernor of New-York and Long-Island, having been 
informed, had arbitrarily put him in prison, at a place 
called J^naica, in the island, where he was confined, 

without 



M2 LIFE OF 1704 

v/ithout any law, about twelve months ; and at this 
place I had a meeting appomted, which was large, 
very open, and well. 

On the 16th of 1st month I was at Flushing, and 
after at Westchester, Fairfield, Killingsworth, where 
I had some discourse with a stranger about predestina- 
tion. He affirmed, that God, from eternity, hath 
pre-ordained some men personally to destruftion, and 
that the number is so certain and definite, that not one 
can be added or diminished ; and that Christ did not 
die for them, but for the eleft only. 

To v/hich I answered, that Christ himself is the 
elect seed ; and is the propitiation, not for himself, 
for he had no sin, but for the sins of the whole world. 
This he denied. 

Then I told him, ^^ he denied the testimony of the 
apostle John in that point, where he saith, He is the 
propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only^ but also 
for the sins of the whole ^uorld ; for all have simied^ and 
fallen short of the glory of God. And if there had been 
such a decree, or personal fore-ordination, it must be 
the will and desire of God that it should be so ; and 
seeing Christ suffered as a propitiation for the sins of 
the whole world, he suffered for those who were de- 
termined to destruftion (if such there had been) as 
well as for those ordained unto life \ but to no purpose 
as to the former, and God doth nothing in vain. 

" But that God doth not will or desire the eternal 
death of any, appears, where the Lord saith, ^ Have I 
any pleasure at all that the wicked should die^ saith the 
Lord God P and not that he should return from his waySy 
and live. Say unto them^ as I live^ saith the Lord Gody 
I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked^ hut that the 
wicked turn from his way^ and live : Turn ye^ turn ye^ 
from your evil ways ; for why will you die^ house of 
Israel P When the righteous turneth from his righte^ 
Qusnessy an I com mitt eth iniquity ^ he shall even die 
therebv. But if the wicked turn fr^m his wickedness^ 
' ^ ^ "^ V and. 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 143 

and do that ivhich is lawful and righty he shall live 
thereby.^ 

^^ Here, and in many other places, in that prophe- 
cy, the Lord places the destru6lion of man upon his 
own will, and not upon any aft, or decree of God ; 
where he likewise saith, O Israel^ thou hast destroyed 
thyself; but in me is thy help. And again, it is testifi- 
ed by an apostle of Christ, that God^ our Savioury will 
have all men to be savedy and come to the knowledge of the 
truth ; and, that Jesus Christ gave himself a ransom 
for ally to be testified in due fmie. Therefore I believe 
God, and deny that predestination as false doclrine.'* 

In the evening we passed over the great river Sea- 
brook, or Connefticut River, and lodged that night 
at an inn kept by one Richard Lands, an Independent 
by profession; where some young people w^ere sing- 
ing, fiddling, and dancing, when w^e went to the door, 
but as soon as they saw us, they desisted, and depart- 
ed : which gave occasion for some discourse concern- 
ing the state of that people when they first came into 
that country, and the degeneracy of that generation j 
which he readily confessed was their unhappy state. 

On the 25th of 1st month we set forward, and that 
night lodged at one Sexton's, at Stonington, and in the 
evening he began some discourse about their sacra- 
ments, asking our reasons for the disuse of them, up- 
on which I gave him several, viz. ^* The bread and 
cup being incidents of the Jewish passover, and typi- 
cal of Christ himself, who is the antitype, and the true 
living bread which comes down from heaven ; as soon 
as men experience him to be so in their hearts, all ob- 
ligations cease as to our continuance any longer in the 
figure, as it is written : As often as ye eat this bready and 
drink this cupy ye shew the Lord^s death till he come^ 
Now the question arises, what is m.eant by his coming ? 
We understand it of his second, inward, or spiritual 
coming without sin unto salvation, in all them v/ho 
believe and wait for him in all ages : and this we, 

through 



144 LIFE OF 1702 

tlirough the goodness and mercy of God, do experi- 
ence to be true, that he is come in that blessed and 
saving manner in us; and therefore the obligation of 
the use of the bread and cup, in the sense in which 
ye now use it, being at an end to us, we disuse it : and 
moreover as it was the Jews passover, never incum- 
bent on us the Gentiles -, and fulfilled by Christ, it is 
not obligatory on us. And being the last passover, 
when Christ gave them the cup, he said. Take this and 
divide it arno7ig yciirselves ; but did not command them 
to give it, or the bread to others. And further, as the 
apostle Paul w^as a true minister of Christ, to all neces- 
sary intents, not one whit behind the chief of the apos- 
tles, and yet was not sent by Christ to baptize with 
water, but to preach the gospel ; so likewise, though 
we, in our day, have a dispensation of the same gos- 
pel, in some degree, committed unto us of the Lord, 
to preach his inward coming, yet we have no com- 
mandment from him to administer such bread or cup, 
or v/ater baptism in any form \ nor do we believe that 
any others have it at this day ; and therefore we justly 
and reasonably decline> either to administer or receive 
them." 

As he could not oppose us herein himself, he 
brought out a Bible, printed with notes, and having 
read the annotations on the last chapter of Matthew, 
about baptisni, they appeared so impertinent, that him- 
self would not assert the truth of them, or insist upon 
it ; but after some time was silent on the point, I ha- 
ving proved to him that there is but one only baptism 
remaining in the church of Christ, and that is, his bap- 
tism by his Holy Spirit. In some further discourse, I 
had occasion to speak of their ministers^ '^ and how 
they were made, and sent by one another only, and not 
by Christ \ and though called by the people, not al- 
w^ays by their inclinations, but by the subtilty and ma- 
nagement of those ministers, and their aiders, accom- 
plices^ and parties \ and that their first view and gene- 
ral 



1^04 THOMAS STORY. U5 

ral aim was, to live upon them; and that when the 
ministers had places^ they would exchange them for 
better, without any regard to the people : though they 
commonly deceive the weak and ignorant with pre- 
tending a mission from Christ, by the words in 
Matthew, where he said to the eleven disciples, Go ye 
ther-jGve and teach all nations^ baptizing them in (or ra- 
ther into) the name of the Father^ Son, and Holy Gh:st^ 
^c. notwithstanding they commonly take up at the 
next town that will entertain them for hire and pay, 
and baptize none, but only sprinkle little children, 
who do not need it, nor does it them any good. So 
that they do not answer their pretended call in any 
respef):." This put our landlord to a stand, and made 
him silent ; and we had little more conference on 
those subje£is, but all ended in friendship. 

On the 27th we went over the Sound into Canoni- 
cut-Island, and lodged that night with our ancient and 
honourable friend, and able minister of the gospel, 
Ebenezer Slocomb -, and on the 28th Vv^ent into Rhode- 
Island, to the mxonthly meeting at Newport. 

This being a time of war v/ith France, the governor 
of New-England was preparing to invade Canada, a 
French colony on the sam^e continent^ and there be- 
ing many friends, at that time, v/ithin that govern- 
ment, who could not bear arms on any account, as 
being contrary to our conscience, and sentiments of 
the end and nature of the Christian religion, which 
teacheth not to destroy, but to love our enemies ; and 
the people of New-England, willing to take advantage 
of the occasion to oppress us, made a law to this ef- 
fect : ^« That such of the inhabitants of that govern- 
ment, as being qualified, or able to bear arm.s, and 
regularly summ.oned, should refuse, they should be 
fined ; and refusing to pay the fine, should be impri- 
soned, and sold, or bound to some of the queen's 
subjects within that colony, for so long a time as by 
their work they might pay their fines and charges." 

N On 



146 LIFE OF 1704 

On the 29th we went to an appointed meeting at 
Bristol, on the Main, where two of our young men^ 
viz. John Smith and Thomas Macamore were prison- 
ers ; being impressed by virtue of this law to fight 
against the French and Indians, under the government 
of Boston. The meeting was in the prison, and seve- 
ral of the people came in, and some were tender : af- 
ter the meeting, having exhorted the young men to 
faithfu4nfess, we went in the evening back into Rhode- 
Island, and next day to Newport, to their week day 
meeting, where I was much comforted in the divine 
truth in my own mind, but had no publick exercise. 
On the 31st I rested there; and, going to see one 
Benjamin Newbury, a man in reputation for wisdom, 
and his wife a friend, I had some discourse with him 
on various subje£ls, and more particularly about war, 
(a topick on which the minds of the people were much 
exercised at that time) he was silent at last ; I then 
took him by the hand, and advised him not to think 
to be too wise for the truth •, and so left him, and 
wx'nt away in great peace to a friend's house in the 
town, where came some friends I had left there, who 
told me, that Benjamin Newbury sat silent some 
time after I came from his house, and then asked som.e 
of them. How a man could be too wise for the truth ? 
to which the friend answered, " That the wisdom of 
this world being foolishness with God, and the carnal 
mind enmity against him ; men might be so full of it, 
as, consulting therewith, they m.ight disobey the truth; 
thinking the way thereof too mean and contemptible 
to be embraced and followed ; and thereby negle£t 
the time of their visitation, being too wise in the wis- 
dom of thi ' world, to embrace truth in the simplicity 
of it •, and yet the truth in itself is wiser, and stronger 
than all, both men and angels." 

That evening we had a meeting at the deputy gover- 
nor's, w^hich was large, and on the 1st of 2d month I 
went to vi§it Daniel Gould, an ancient friend, of the 

jrimitiv 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 147 

primitive sort, v/ho was now confined by lameness, 
and other innriTiities of age •, some of his family were 
likewise ill of a distemper then prevalent in the island, 
which to many proved mortal : in relating some pas- 
sages of truth, his heart was warmed with zeal for the 
prosperity of it, that we had a comfortable time there- 
in together, he declaring several somid truths in the 
life of it amongst us. The next day the meeting there 
was large, and many strangers present. On tl^e 3d I 
visited some friends near Newport ; and on the 4th 
had another meeting in the town, which was large, 
and many strangers there, and I heard of none dis- 
satisfied, save one man, who, being a Papist, took of- 
fence at my saying, <^ The cross of Christ is not a 
cross of gold or silver, or other metal, or of wood or 
stone, to be taken up in order to follow him ; but the 
v/isdom and pov/er of God, reproving and crossing 
the wills and lusts of mankind in their own hearts^ 
and the way to take it up is to believe in it, and follow 
it in its manifestations. But as to those invented cros- 
ses, how neat soever and prettily contrived, or richly 
adorned they may be, they are of no value in religion ; 
for the evil one will tempt men, and prevail over them 
too, though they cross themselves with their fingers 
ever so much, or wear ever so many of such crosses.'^ 

He bore it so as not to shew any uneasiness in the 
meeting, but told a friend afterwards, «^ That he liked 
all very well except that :" which being told me next 
day, I sent him word, " that I knew nothing of him 
in the meeting, nor of his cross ; and therefore desired 
him to consider the thing further, and not to blame 
me for doing my duty, seeing it might be for his in- 
formation, reproof, and reformation, rightly received 
and used." 

After this I was at the meeting at Portsmouth, and 
Newport, and Bristol, where the two young men were 
^prisoners, being in the prison with them, and many 

other 



148 LIFE OF 1704 

other friends present, we were favoured with a good 
time in the presence and love of God together; and 
the same evening had a meeting at the house of one 
Job Howiands. The prisoners not being called before 
the court that day, Thomas Cornwell and I went to 
Colonel By field's (about a mile from the town) next 
morning ; when we v/ent in he was very boisterous, 
reproaching friends in general, as a sort of people not 
v/orthy to live on the earth ; particularly those of 
Rhode-Island and New-England, who would not go 
out, nor pay their money to others, to fight against a 
common enemy so barbarous as are the Indians; wish- 
ing us all in the front of the battle until we had learn- 
ed better ; charging us with many errors and heresies 
in religion by the lump ; instancing only in refusing 
to fight, and believing a sinless perfe£l:ion in this life. 
When he had a little vented his fury, I, being over 
him in the truth, returned upon him, and said, ^^ I 
was sorry we sliould find him in that temper, and that 
too in his own house, especially on such an occasion ; 
when we being strangers were come only to request 
a reasonable favour of him, he being judge of the 
court : and that was to desire him to consider the case ' 
of our friends as a matter of conscience towards God, 
;ind not of cowardice, nor of obstinacy against rulers 
cr their laws." Upon which he repeated his charges, 
saying, " That the apostle Paul, a better man than 
any of us, cried out of a body of sin and death ; and 
That vvhen he would do good, evil was present with 
him." — Upon this I called for his Bible, and offered 
to prove out of the same epistle he hinted at, " that 
the apostle was, at that time, preaching the doftrine 
of freedom from sin in this life ; for though he proves 
in the same epistle, both Jews and Gentiles under sin, 
yet he preaches freedom from sin through Christ, to 
both, even in this present world ; and also that war 
and fighting is contrary both to the do£lrine of Christ, 

end 



I70f THOMAS STORY. 149 

end of his com:ng, and nature of his kingdom ; and 
that it was upon his (this judge's) principles, that the 
Jewish state crucified the Saviour of the world." 

Growing a little more calm^ he asked us if we had 
eaten any thing that morning ? and we confessing we 
had not, he called for vi£tuals and drink, and v/ould 
have us eat with him ; and as we were sitting down 
to eat, he said, '' He would not offend us in using 
any ceremony (meaning what is commonly called 
grace before meat) knowing we did not like it." I 
replied, ^^ that though we did not rvish into such ex- 
ercises towards God in our own wills and tim.e, v/ith- 
out due consideration and fear, without any sense of 
the spirit of prayer and supplication upon us ; in which 
state we could not exp'^ct to be heard in our own 
name ; yet w^e never receive the mercies of God, but 
with due reverence and acknov/ledgment in our hearts 
unto him, the great author and giver of them : but 
that we dare not presum.e to pray unto the AimJghtv^ 
till we have a sense of the assistance of the Spirit c? 
his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only intercesso'^ 
and mediator between God and man ; since the nrst 
holy man that ever v/as, ought not to bow in his own 
name or povv'^er, but in the name, virtue, and power of 
Jesus." And so we sat a little v/hile in silence, znd" 
then ate and drank with him ; and he made us freelv 
welcome. When we had done, he walked to the 
town with us ; and, in the way, we conversed on v? -• 
rious subje£ls ; and he said, ^^ He thought it n:ieht: 
be vrell, if we (friends) were all settled m a place bv 
ourselves, where we could not be troublesorre t^ 
others by our contradiftious v/ays," To v/hich I re- 
plied, " That if they should send us out of all coun- 
tries where we at present reside, into one by ourse'vec^ 
if such a one could be found, that would not ease them ^ 
for more would spring up unavoidably in our places :; 
for w^hat would the world do, if it should lose its salt : 

N2 and. 



150 LIFE OF 17a* 

and leaven ? it would be in great danger of total cor- 
ruption.'* At this the judge looked a little surprized, 
but made no answer •, but his anger being much over^ 
he became more calm and friendly, and told us what 
he intended to do with the young men our fr ends ^ 
and that was, to send them to the governor at Boston, 
that seeing they would not fight, nor pay their fine, 
they might work at the fort, till they had paid it by 
their labour. We said, " That was hard, it being 
only a case of conscience with us, in which we ought 
to obey God, and not man^ whatever may be the con- 
sequence of it." 

Thus conversing together, we walked into the 
town ; and notwithstanding his former passion, being 
now much altered, he took us kindly by the hands in 
the street, before many people, when we parted. Af- 
ter this we v/ent to the prison to see the young men, 
and acquainted them, that we could find little ground 
to expe£l any favour, at which they seemed altogether 
unconcerned, being much resigned to the will of God 
at that time •, and we staid with them in prison most 
of that day, they not being called into the court till 
the next afternoon. 
^ The prisoners being brought into court, Thomas 
Cornwell and I, and manv other friends, went in with 
them ; and though we had our hats on, the judge was 
so far indulgent, as to order us seats, but that our 
hats should be taken off in a civil manner by an officer. 
I said, ^^ We did not keep them on with any disrespect 
to him or the court, (neither did any of us, at any 
time) but our hats being part of our clothing, we know^ 
not any harm, nor intended any affront to the court by 
keeping them on : and though religion be not in the 
hat ; yet where it is fully in the heart, the honour of 
the hat is not demanded, or willingly given or received, 
by the true disciples of him who said, * / receive not ho" 
nourfrom men^ hut I know you^ that ye have not the love of 

God 



1*70^ THOMAS STORY, 151 

God in you. How can ye believe^ nvho receive hotmtr one 
of another i and seek not the honour that cometh from God 
only r 

The prisoners being at the bar, the judge asked 
them the reason of their obstinacy (as he called it). 
The young men modestly replied > it was not obstina- 
cy, but duty to God, according to their consciences, 
and religious persuasions, which prevailed with them 
to refuse to bear arms, or learn war. But the judge 
would not, by any means, seem to admit there was 
any conscience in it, but ignorance, and a perverse na- 
ture ; accounting it very irreligious in any who were 
personally able, and le ally required, to refuse their 
help now in time of war, against enemies so potent 
and barbarous as the French and Indians ; vjith re- 
peated false charges against us, as a peop e, saying, 
*^ Since we could pay to publick taxes, which we knew 
were to be applied to the uses of war, why could we 
not pay those which were by law required of us, in- 
stead of our personal service, and to excuse us ?" 

Then I stood up, and desired leave of the court to 
speak, which was granted; and said, ^^ If the judge 
please to keep to the present business of the court, con- 
cerning the prisoners, I would, with leave, speak to the 
point of law, in the case \ but if he thought fit to make 
it his business to continue to charge us as a people with 
errors in matters of religion, I should think it mine to 
answer him in the face of the court ; publick, and un- 
due charges, laying a necessity for, and excusing as 
publick answers \ adding that I could give the court a 
distindlion and reason, why we could pay the one tax, 
and yet not the other Which most present being 
desirous to hear, I began with the example of Christ 
himself, for the payment of a tax, though applied by 
Caesar unto the uses of war, and other exigencies of 
his government ; and was go'ng on to shew a diiFer- 
ence between a law that directly and principally afFe£ts 
the person in war, requiring personal service, and a 

law 



152^ LIFE OF 17041 

law which only requires a general tax, to be applied 
by rulers as they see cause, and afFefts not the person. 
For though we readily pay such taxes*, yet, as the^ 
kingdom of Christ is not of this world, his servants 
will not fight, though they may and ought to pay' 
taxes according to the example of Christ their head/' 

The judge;, perceiving how inconsistent this would 
prove to their present purpose, interrupted me ; but 
several of the justices v/ished to hear me further on' 
the subjeft. 

Then Thomas Cornweli, a friend of good repute 
and interest in Rhode-Island, desired them to be care- 
ful what precedent they made upon this law ; since' 
neither he nor any of us knew what might be the ef- 
fect of it, or how scon it might be any of our cases; 
and that it would be very hard upon us to be sold for 
servants. He then demanded a p ecedent, where, at 
any time, in any other of the queen's dominions, any 
of her subjects ever sold others of rhem, for the pay- 
ment of taxes laid by their fellow-subjefts, on any 
pretence whatsoever, where conscience and duty to- 
wards God, and Christ the Lord, was the only cause 
of refusal : adding, that he could never pay any of 
those taxes, though he should be sold for the payment 
of them. 

Truth came gradually over them, and things grew 
very heavy upon them, though they still persisted in- 
their own way ; at last the court adjourned till to- 
wards the evening, and then ordered the young men 
to be returned to prison, there to remain '*' till some 
person or persons appear to pay the sums demianded, 
or shall tender to take them into service, for such 
time as the justice and sheriff shall think reasonable ; 
or until the governor, by warrant, shall remove them 
to the castle near Boston, where they are to work as 
prisoners for such time, until by their service they pay 
the sums now due, with other charges, that may be- 
come due^ and then to be released." 

Parting 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 15^ 

Parting v/ith the prisoners and others hi much lovej 
and divine peace, T. Corn well and I went the same 
evening to Jos. Vv^anton's, and there had a meeting ; 
the next day we had a meeting at Seconet, which was 
very hard and dull, Uttle appearing in testim^ony but 
reproof and judgment ; and that evening we returned 
heavy to Jos. Wanton's, where I remained as it were 
comfortless till the next morning ; but sitting down 
with the family, and the friends who were with me, 
waiting upon the Lord, his blessed presence oversha- 
dowed us, to our general comfort*, so that those friends 
of Rhode-Island there present went chearfully home, 
and I with the company that went with me, departed 
thence in like enjoyment, to the praise of our living 
Lord, the fountain of all our mercies. 

Next day we went to Dartmouth, where the meet- 
ing was large, and the blessed truth prevailed, to the 
glory of his great name who liveth and reigneth, and 
is worthy for ever and ever ! From hence we went to 
Sippycan, and Sandwich, where one Captain Bassett 
came to us, a man of good temper and understanding 
as a man, the greatest disputant in those parts for the 
Presbyterians, against all others. He wanting to see 
a copy of the judgm.ent against the young men be- 
fore-mentioned, I took occasion to say, " That Chris- 
tians ought not to fight, or learn war; and that, 
whereas, God hath said by his prophets. It shall come. 
to pass in the last clays^ that the Jitountain of the Lord's 
house shall be established hi the top of the mou7itains^ afid 
shall be exalted above the hills ^ and all nations shall Jloiv 
unto it J a?id many people shall go and say^ Coine ye^ and let 
us go up to the fnountain of the Lord^ to the house of the Gcd 
of Jacobs and he ^uoill teach us of his "UjaySy a^rd lue will 
'Walk in his paths : for out of Sion shall go forth the lawy 
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall 
judge among the nations ^ and shall rebuke man\ people : and 
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares^ arid their 
spears Into prunijig hooks : natiou shall not lift up szcord 

against 



J 54 LIFE OF 1704 

against nation ; neither shall they learn war any more, O 
house of Jacob ^ come ye^ and let us walk in the light of the 
Lord/' 

** Upon these scriptures, 'I obsen^e, That so long 
as the nation will continue to reje£l the Lord Jesus 
Christ, the true light which lighteth every man which 
Cometh into the world (in which the house of Jacob, 
the true church, walketh) and follow their own cor- 
ruptions, lusts, and laws made by themselves, to sup- 
port them therein, they will, from age to age, go on in 
war and destru£lion one of another, as well after the 
coming of Christ in the flesh, as before : yet the true 
disciples of Christ, his church (which is not national) 
are those who speak the language of those prophecies 
in their aftions, as well as words and doftrine. They 
will not fight now in defence of the religion taught by 
Christ and his prophets and apostles, more than his 
disciples, in the days of his flesh, would fight for his 
person. Fighting, in its root and nature, being oppo- 
site to Christ, and the end of his coming, who teacheth 
us to love enemies^ and not to destroy them, and came 
not to destroy the lives of men^ hut to save them. The lan- 
guage of his followers is. Come ye^ and let its go up to 
the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacobs 
and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his 
paths, Andy O house of Jacobs come yCy and let us walk 
171 the light of the Lord : for all people will walk every one 
in the name oj his god, as nve will ijualk in the 7iame oj the 
Lord our God for ever and ever. And the nations of them 
that are saved shall walk in the light of the Lamb.'* 

At the same tirae, we had some further conference 
about justificaticn and sanftification, and freedom 
from sin in this life ; wherein I informed him, " That 
the Lord^s way of sanitification and justification, is, to 
make men just, w! o were not so ; and holy, who were 
before defiled with sin." The Lord Jesus Christ came 

* Isa. Ki. 3k j. 

not 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 155 

not to save men in their sins (that cannot be) but from 
them, and all the dreadful effe£l:s of th-^m, and to bring 
them into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

The Captain heard these things spoke of with good 
temper and solidity, and seemed pretty well satisfied. 
But before we parted, I said unto him, " That I should 
be glad to see some of the m.ore moderate sort of their 
magistrates and ministers, and to discourse with them 
about religious matters : for I suspefi: we are not 
rightly understood in divers points of religion by 
them." Which by the sequel he bore in mind, though 
at that time he said not much to it. For some days 
after, being at Sandwich, I called at his house, where 
I found assembled a great many friends and others, 
who had been inform.ed of my intention to be there : 
soon after I came in, he said, '^ that there were several 
of their magistrates present^ as likewise their teacher^ 
in consequence of the desire I had expressed to see 
some of the more moderate sort." To which I an- 
swered, by informing them upon what occasion I had 
expressed this desire, and the subjects the Captain and 
I had been discoursing ; and mentioning that point of 
freedom from sin in this life, their minister answered, 
*^ That it is the duty of every true Christian to aspire 
after freedom from sin in this life." 

I replied, ^^ That seeing he acknowledged that to 
be a duty, he must, of consequence, own it possible." 

He answered, It is saidj " Te shall be holy ; for /, 
the Lord your God, am holy. And yet who will pre- 
sume to say, he is as holy as God ?" 

*^ Then, said I, the scripture saith, * SanBify your^ 
selves therefore^ and he ye holy : for I am the Lord your 
God, And ye shall keep i7iy statutes j and ds^thern : I am 
the Lord which sanElify you. Seeing thereibre it is the 
Lord who sanSifies, his work is perfecS, \e doth it 
fully J and what God hath sanftified, let no\ian call 

* Lev. vii. 8» 

common 



156 LIFE OF 1704? 

common or unclean. And God's people (who are so 
indeed) are a holy people : as it is written, For thou 
art a holy people unto the Lord thy God^ I added fur- 
ther, " That we spake not of degrees of holiness, as 
comparing man with God therein, otherwise than the 
Lord himself hath done. But as God is absolutely 
perfeft, and infinite in all essential attributes, moral 
and divine \ so there is a holiness applicable to man as 
a perfeft creature of God : ^ For in the heginnhig God 
created man hi his o%v7i image^ in righteousness arid true 
holiness. And yet we do not say that man was equal 
therein to God : even so, man may be truly restored 
bv God, through Christ, to the same holiness, and 
may and ought to confess it, to the honour of God, 
without any presumption ; seeing that since the fall of 
man, and before the coming of Christ in the flesh, God 
hath thus said to his people. Be ye holyyf.r I am holy : 
w^hich the Lord would not have said, if like holiness 
with his own had not, through his word, been attain- 
able by them. And so likewise of God's righteous- 
ness, as well as his holiness, where it is said, \ Little 
children^ let no man deceive youy he that doth righteousness^ 
is righteous y even as he is righteous ^ 

Upon this their minister was silent ; but the justices 
and people being desirous that something further should 
be moved and debated •, it was proposed by Capt.'Bas- 
sett that we should adjourn to their meeting-house 
near by, which being complied with, the minister, 
notwithstanding what had passed before, m.oved this 
question, (as thinking himself strongest in that point, 
in the com.m.on opinion of the people into which the 
priests have deceived them). 

" Whether there be a state of freedom from sin at- 
tainable in this life ? And I, being willing, as the Lord 
might enable me, to make our doftrine, in that point, 
plain to the people, assumed the affirmative ; and my 

* Gen. i. 27. f I Jt)hn iii. 7. 

opponent 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 157 

opponent assumed the negative. I then proceeded to 
Drove, after the manner of the apostles Paul and John, 
first, That all men commonly sin in this life in a state 
of nature, or are liable thereto by temptation ; and 
then, that the offers of salvation are made by God the 
Father unto all mankind in Christ the Son of God ^ 
and that whosoever does accept of those offers in God s 
way and time, may not only be saved at last, but freed 
from sin in this present world. 

^^ Having made it manifest that all are sinners, both 
Jews and Gentiles, the apostle goes on to preach sal- 
vation to all by the Lord Jesus Christ, saying, ^ Being 
justified freely by his grace [w\i\c]i hath appeared unto 
all men) through the redemption luhich is in Jesus Christy 
nvhom God hath set forth to be a propitiation ^ through faith 
in his bloody to declare his righteousness for the remission 
of sins that are past^ through the forbearance of God : 
which faith must be obtained in this life^ or never. 

^^ The same apostle, in another place, proceeds to 
set forth freedom from sin in this life likewise by the 
same Saviour, saying, As by the offence of one^ judgment 
came upon all men to condemnatio7i ; even so^ by the righte- 
ousness ofancy the free gift came upo?t all men unto justifica- 
tion of life : this free gift is the grace of God ivhich bring- 
eth salvation^ and hath appeared to all 7nen ; teaching usj 
that denying ungodliness^ and worldly lusts ^ n.ve should live 
•soberly^ righteously^ aJid godly ifi this present world : that, 
nvhere sin once abounded^ grace might much more abound ; 
that as sin hath reigned unto deaths even so might grace 
reign, through righteousness j unto eternal life, by Jesus 
Christ our Lord. What shall we say then P shall we 
continue in sin, that grace may abound ? God forbid : 
hoiu shall 'we nvho are dead, unto sin lice any longer there- 
in P knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him^ 
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth %ue 
should not serve sin^ knowing that Christ being raised from 

* Rom. lii. 24, 25. 

O the 



158 LIFE OF 1704' 

the deady dieth no more ; death hath no more dominion over 
hhn^ for in thai he died, he died tmto sin once ; hit in 
that he livethy he liveth unto God. Liheivise reckon ye also 
yourselves to be dead iftdeed unto sin^ but alive unto Gody 
through Jesus Christ our Lord: being then made free 
from sin^ ye became the servants of righteousness ; for when 
ye IV ere the servants of sin ye ivere free from righteous^ 
ness : but now being made free from sin^ and become ser^ 
*uants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end 
everlasting life.^ Again, after the apostle had brought 
this do£lrine of freedom from sin in this life to a pe- 
riod, under the similitude of the death and resurrec- 
tion of Christ, and thereby established the certainty 
of it, he resumes the same doctrine in the beginning 
of the seventh chapter, under another similitude, and 
brings it to the like conclusion. For when we were 
in the flesh, the motions of sin ( or passions ) which were 
(discovered^ by the law, did ivork in our members, to 
bring forth fruit unto death ; but now we are delivered 
from the law, that being dead, (or being dead to that ) 
^wherein we were held, that we should serve God in new- 
ness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. That 
ye should be married to another, even to him luho is raised 
from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God, 
" And a third time the apostle proceeds, and insists 
upon the same do6lrine, and establisheth it unalterably 
the same way : setting forth the power of sin in the 
flesh (notwithstanding the moral precepts of the law, 
which prove insufRcient until we come unto Christ, or 
until his power be inwardly revealed, by whom alone 
full freedom and deliverance from sin in this life, and 
eternal salvat'on from the wages thereof in another 
world, is come) and speaking of himself and the church 
of Christ at that time, and the state they had been in 
before they believed in him saith. When we were in the 
flesh the motions of sin did work in our members, as above : 

* Rom, V. ao, %i. 

that 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 15§ 

that the knowledge of sin comes by the law ; that siii 
. brings spiritual death ; and being discovered by the 
commandment, becomes exceeding sinful : that the 
law is spiritual, but man, in his natural and fallen 
state, is carnal, a slave to his own corruptions, lusts, 
and sins. For though the law (which is light, and the 
commandment, which is a burning lam.p) discovers to 
man his duty, what he ought to do, and leave undone j 
yet, through the weakness of nature in its fallen state, 
and the suggestions of the evil one in the imaginations 
and carnal mind (no good thing being in the flesh) the 
apostle, and others under the lav/, v/ere held captive, 
and under a long and hard struggle for Uberty and vic- 
tory, but could not obtain it by all the legal precepts, 
or rational assent unto them, nor by his own learning 
or natural powers. He delighted in the law of God 
in his mind I yet, seeing another law in his members 
(to be understood as the temptations of the evil one, 
working in the lusts and corruptions of the carnal 
raind) warring against the law of his mdnd, and bring- 
ing him into captivity to the law of sin, which was in 
his members ; and seeing no way of deliverance, by 
the law of Moses, from sin, he cries out, under a sense 
of the whole weight, power, force, and body of sin, 
and saith, wretched man that I amy ivho shall deliver' 
me from the body of this death ? 

^^ Now, though the apostle, in all this, speaks as in 
the first person, (setting forth the state he had once 
been in, or rather the state in which the Jews were, 
who had not believed in Christ) yet it is plain, that 
neither the apostle himself, nor the true bel-evers and 
followers of Christ, in that day, were in that state of 
sin at that time, but redeemed from it : for, after the 
apostle had thus cried out, Who shall deliver me from 
the body of this death I he immediately, and most com- 
fortably answers^ 1 thanl God through Jesus Christ our 
Lord ; and adds, There is therefore now no condemnation 
to them which are in Christ Jesus^ who %valk not after 

the 



160 LIFE OF 1704 

the jleshy but after the spirit ; for the laiv of the spirit of 
life in Christ Jesus y hath made me free from the laiv of 
sin and death J^ 

^^ The apostle confirms this doftrlne, with respe£t 
to the present salvation, state, and attainments of the 
true disciples of Christ in that day, where he saith, 
For ive ourselves also were sometimes foolish^ disobedient y 
deceived y serving divers lusts and pleasures y living in ma" 
licey and envyy hatefuL a fid hating one another ; but after 
that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man 
appear edy not by works of righteousness which we have 
dihiej but according to his mercy he saved usy by the wash-" 
ing of regenerationy and renewing of the Holy Ghosfy 
which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our 
Saviour.f 

'< Which must be done in this life, or else there 
will be no entering the kingdom of God j for no un- 
clean thing can enter there. 

*' Having thus shewn how this glorious do£l:rine of 
liberty from sin in this life, through Jesus Christ, the 
Word, Son, Wisdom, and Power of the Father, is 
preached by this apostle, I proceeded to prove the 
same doftrine by the authority and testimony of the 
apostle John, who preached it after the same manner, 
that it may be established from the mouths of two so 
great and faithful witnesses. 

" First, That all have sinned, and wanted salvation. 
Secondly, That Christ died for all m.aikind. And, 
Thirdly, That all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and follow him in the regeneration, are not only freed 
from all sin in this life, but eternally saved in that 
v/hich is to come. 

" He reminds the church what was the testimony 
of the apostles unto them from the beginning of their 
preaching of the gospel;, and the certainty of it, as 
what they had heard, seen, and handled of the word 

* Rom. viiii I; 2. f Tit: iii. 3. 6t 

ol 



1704. THOMAS STORY. 161 

of life ; so that they certainly knew, and were wit- 
nesses of the truth they deUvered unto others. That 
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. — ^They 
had formerly, in their natural state, been sinners j 
but having confessed their sins unto the Holy One, 
who, in love and mercy, convinceth and reproveth 
the world of sin, then his faithfulness and justice was 
made manifest in them, not only in the forgiveness of 
the afts of their sins against his law, but likewise in 
cleansing them from all the inward pollution of sin 
and unrighteousness. 

^^ And seeing God the Father, through Jesus Christ 
the Son, hath given a saving gift of his divine lights 
spirit, grace, and truth (which is one and the same) 
unto all mankind, to lead, direft, and guide them, as 
an everlasting, infallible teacher unto all, so whosoever 
shall believe therein, and repent of their sins, and 
obey him in his manifestations in their hearts, minds, 
and understandings, shall be surely led into all truth, 
and consequently out of all untruth and error ; which 
must be in this life, where sin, untruth, and error only 
are. 

^^ And as the knowledge of God and Christ is eter^ 
nal life ; so the evidence of that knowledge is the 
keeping of his commandments, and the love of the 
brethren : and whoever pretendetli to that knowledge, 
and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and 
Christ, who is the truth, is not in him ; his sins re- 
main upon him, notwithstanding the sufficiency of the 
propitiation in its ovv^n nature, and to its general and 
proper end : but whosoever keepeth his word, in him 
is the love of God perfected , whereby such sanctified 
souls know, not only that their sins are forgiven them^ 
but that they are in him that is true, in whom there 
is no sin ; and such walk in the way of faithfulness 
and obedience to the Father in all things ^ v/hich 
walking must refer to the Christian conduQ in thi:^ 
worldj in order to be settled at last in the kingdom of 

2 glory; 



162 LIFE OF 1704i 

glory ; v/here nothing sinful or unclean, while so, caa 
come.'' 

Other things were said on this important subje£\:, 
and I drew to a conclusion thus : ^* That though by 
nature, as we are the offspring of the first Adam, we 
have a seed of evil or sin in us ; which springing up^ 
and we afting according to its motions, become guilty 
before God ; yet as we receive and believe in, and 
unite with Christ, the word of God, the second Adam, 
the Lord from heaven, the quickening Spirit, and are 
witness of his v/ork in our hearts, we become born of 
him, (that Seed) who never fell or could fall ; children 
of God, and heirs of his precious promises, partakers 
of the diviiie nature, and have present redemption 
from under the power of sin and Satan." 

During all this time the people were very still ; but 
their minister was fretful, and interrupted me often, 
for he saw what I said took with them. 

Vv'hen I had done, he answered, " That there is 
not a just man upon the earth, that doth good and sin- 
neth not •, and that, if w^e say that we have no sin, we 
deceive ourselves ," — with som.e such things in favour 
of sin, very short, and so sat down. I replied, " That 
I had already repeated one of those texts of scripture, 
and seme others to the same purpose ; (for I intended 
at first to anticipate him in what they usually alledge 
in favour of that pernicious doftrine, of sin term of 
life) and that whatsoever was written in the law, waa 
to them who were under it. While men were under 
the lav/, which gave the knowledge of sin, but did not 
redeem from It, all these things were true, as to them j 
for the law made nothing perfeft ^ but the bringing in 
of a better hope doth : which hope is Christ in usy the 
hope of glory ; the law of the spirit of life by Christ, 
which received, and believed in, worketh in us a con- 
formity to the will of God." 

Passing from this subjeft, our conversation turned 
upon the nature of baptism> in which I endeavoured 

to 



1704* THOMAS STOP.Y. I6S 

to prove the baptism of Christ's Holy Spirit to be alone 
essential to salvation ; and that the dipping or sprink- 
ling with water, as praftised by Christians in the pre- 
sent time, is not of his institution. 

My opponent now attempted to prove, that the 
scriptures are the word of God, and as such, are the 
ground of faith, and rule of life. I replied, " The 
scripture doth not any where call itself the word of 
God, but gives that title, justly, properly, and only 
to Christ, in his spiritual appearance, both in the Old 
and New Testament : first in the old, where it is writ- 
ten, "^ For this commandment^ ivhlch I cornmandthee^ thir 
day^ it is 7ot hidden from thee^ neither is it far off^ l^c^ 
but the njjord is very nigh unto thee^ 171 thy mouthy ojid iiv 
thy hearty that thou rnayest do it. This was not any of 
the ten commandments, written on tables of stone,, 
(though indeed the root of all the commandments of 
God) nor was there much of the scripture then writ- 
ten ; but this was the spirit of Christ before his incar- 
naJ:ion ; of whom Peter testifies, That he was in the 
prophets, and testified beforehand his sufferings, (in 
the flesh, and that many hundred years before his ma- 
nifestation therein) and the glory that should follow : 
of whom the apostle Paul likewise bears testim.oriy, in 
these w^ords, f The righteousness nvhich is of faith speak- 
eth on this wise^ Say not in thy hearty %vho shall ascend 
into heaven ? (that is^ to bring Christ doivn from above; ) 
or who shall descend into the deep P (that is^ to bring up 
Christ again from the dead, ) But ivhat saith it ? The 
nvord is nigh thee^ even in thy mouthy and in thy heart : 
that is the ^uord of faith which we preach, 

" Again, the evangelist John testifies of Christ af- 
ter this manner, + In the beginning was the word, and 
the word was vv^ith God, and the v/ord was God ; all 
things were made by him, and v/ithout him was not 
any thing made, that was made. He was in the world, 

* Dent. XXX. II. 14. f Rom. s, 6> | John i. a, 3, Sec, 

and 



W^ LIFE OF 170^ 

and the world was made by him, and the world knew 
him not. And the word was made flesh, and dwelt 
among us, &c. Now these things cannot be said of 
the scriptures ; for the Spirit of Christ is not the scrip- 
tures, though they testify of him : the scriptures never 
ascended into heaven, neither did they descend into 
the deep, and rise again ; neither is the scripture the 
word of faith •, neither were they in the beginning ; 
nor are they God ; nor was any thing at all made hy 
them : but all things were made some thousands of 
years before there were any scriptures in the world ; 
as it appears the first of them was written by Moses, 
which is but a very small part. 

** And concerning those scriptures, the Lord Jesus 
said to the Jews, who had them, *' Ye have not his 
(the Father's) word abiding in you •, for whom he hath 
sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures, for 
in them ye think ye have eternal life ; and they are 
they which testify of me ; and ye will not come to me 
that ye may have life. Here Christ, the word of ' ^od, 
is again distinguished from the scripture ; they are not 
that word, but bear testimony of him : and so do the 
scriptures of both testaments still, and will through 
ages to come : but, I beseech you, be aware, lest, 
while you seem to magnify the scriptures, as the Jews 
did, you fall into the like errors, and they become of 
none effe£l also unto you, through your vain inven- 
tions and traditions, and you fall short of eternal life, 
as they did, through a negleft of the manifestations, 
admonitions, and operations of the spirit of Christ,' 
the word of God, in your hearts •, the grace of God 
given unto you, in you, as a free and constant teacher 
in the way of truth and salvation. 

Then I informed the people, " That we ever had a 
great esteem for the scriptures, as believing them to 
be given by divine inspiration, but that they make wise 

* John V. 38, &c. 

through 



1704. THOMAS STORY. 16B 

through faith in Christ : so that faith must go before j 
and the apostles had believed before their understand- 
ing? were opened to know the scriptures. ' 

Something was said after this concerning the minis- 
try, of its call and maintenance ^ the dispute held 
about seven hours ; and I am persuaded divers of the 
people understood and received in their minds, the 
truth of much of what I had delivered. This long 
contest ended without any personal rancour, I believe, 
on either side : for in all contests of this nature, which 
I have hitherto been engaged in, I have, in the first 
place, looked for the seasoning grace of God in my 
own heart, to qualify me with a right temper of mind 
for such provocations as I might meet with, and for 
understanding, and fortitude, so as that the truth 
might not suffer by any weakness or passion of mine : 
and my aim hath ever been, much more to gain upon 
the understanding of my opponents, and the auditories, 
than the vain glory of conquest ; and have ever suc- 
ceeded best, when preserved in full charity, M^-iiereiri 
the divine light, which giveth understanding, dwelleth; 
v/hen I have so behaved to the opposers of truth, as 
not to provoke them into any passion, but keep them 
calm as much as possible ; and they having a measure 
of the same light in themselves, (for he is in all man- 
kind) and their own understandings as reasonable crea- 
tures, on m.y side, with me against their errors or mis- 
takes, (for my contest is not with men, but their er- 
rors which hurt them) they are then open to convic- 
tion : but passion and anger (and m.allce much more 
so), is darkness, and involves the mind therein ; and 
while that is uppermost in the heart of man, and he 
prepossessed against the truth, he is not capable of in- 
formation, but opposeth v/ith fury, and ill language, 
what he does not understand, though the necessary 
truths of the gospel : for this is a true saying, ** The 
<^ natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of 
*^ God, for they are foolishness unto him j neither cart 



166 LIFE OF 1704 

«« he know them, because they are spiritually discern- 
^^ ed." Much less is he capable in time of anger, 
when he is not reasonable ; nor is it prudent to dis- 
course with him on such subjects at such times : yet 
when an opposer, though a little warm, keeps within ' 
reasonable bounds, he may be convinced of his mis- 
takes, in his understanding, and yet not publickly own 
it, because of his imaginary honour : for, being in re- 
putation for a man of understanding, parts and abili- 
ties, (and perhaps a teacher) he is ashamed to be over- 
come before an auditory, or own the truth to be on 
the other side : then it may be reasonable to discourse 
with such an one, and profitable to the audience. But 
this I have ever endeavoured in such cases, to part 
with every opposer in as much friendship as could be 
obtained, that if possible no rancour might remain. 

Now, if 1 had not known that the invisible power of 
truth was over that people, at that time, considering 
their former enmity against us and the truth, I had run 
a great risk (humanly speaking) of personal injury by 
some of them ; but through divine goodness, both to 
them and me, I did not observe a frown on any brow, 
or hard word from any, save one ; for which, unto the 
only true God and Saviour, be dominion and praises, 
now and for ever. Amen. 

On the 26th of the 2d month I was at their meet- 
ing at Nantasket, and on the 27th had a meeting ap- 
pointed at Scituate, where came a young man, who 
took some exceptions against what I said in the meet- 
ing, about infants, and their salvation by Christ, and 
about baptism* : and hearing of it, I desired he might 
be inform.ed, " That if he pleased to go to the house 
of our friend with us, I would endeavour to satisfy 
him.'* He came accordingly, and there I told him, 
" I understood he was not satisfied with somiething I 
had said in the m.eeting concernir.g infants; and there- 
fore asked him, what he believed concerning them ?** 
tie said| ^^ He believed they were ail damned, who 

died 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 167 

died unbaptized." Then I asked him, " If he believed 
all of them were saved, that were baptized, as he call- 
ed it ?" He answered, « No." " What then, said I, 
makes the difference ?" He replied, " they were all 
damned, because they cannot believe in Christ." I 
replied, " Neither can they commit sin -, nor can they 
believe who are baptized and saved, as thy first an- 
swer implies, though thou hast receded from it since." 
Then he said, "They sinned in Adam." I answered, 
<^ That as in Adam, all die, even so in Christ shall (the 
same) all be made alive." But said he again, ^' They 
cannot believe in Christ." Then I said, " Dost thou 
not believe, that miany ages and nations of people fell 
under some disadvantage by Adam's sin, who never 
heard of him outwardly ?" To this he was silent. 
Then I proceeded to say to them who were present. 
That nvhere there is no law, there is no transgression ; 
and little children being incapable of any law but that 
of nature, which they cannot break, consequently they 
cannot sin : and that though for some time, under the 
law, and first covenant of the Jews, the sins of the fa- 
thers were to be visited upon the children, not for 
ever, but only unto the third and fourth generation : 
not such as loved God, but such as hated him ; upon 
which a proverb arose among the people, that the fa- 
thers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are 
set on edge. But this proverb was to cease, and was 
annulled by God, as by the testimony of two of his 
great prophets, by whom it is written, in the name of 
the Lord ; first by Jeremiah, (about six hundred years 
before Christ) who saith, /;/ those days, they shall say no 
more, the fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the chil- 
dren's teeth are set on edge ; hut every one shall die for 
his oivn iniquity ; every man that eateth the sour grape, 
his teeth shall he on edge. And this was to be under the 
new covenant come by the Lord Jesus Christ, now in 
force. Secondly, by Ezekiel, who hath it more at 
large, chap, xviii. 2, 3, 4. And there are many con- 
ditions 



168 LIFE OF 170i 

ditions in this chapter of Ezekiel, respeftmg the life 
and death of the righteous and wicked, and the changes 
■which may happen to both, from state to state, by their 
own a£ls or omissions of known duties, from which, 
in the nature of persons and things^ Httle children, as 
such, are exempted *, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the 
mediator of the new covenant (by which the first is 
ended) hath declared them innocent, by taking them 
in his arms, blessing them, and saying, that of such is 
the kingdom of heaven. And the apostle saith, that sin 
was in the world before the law, but it was not im- 
puted ; so that though there be a seed of sin in chil- 
dren, which in tim.e may spring up, unto which, if 
they join by any sinful a£t, as mankind too commonly 
and universally do, they are thereby brought under 
the law or power of sin ; not by the transgression of 
Adam, the common father of all after the flesh, but 
by their own, as Adam was, until children be capable 
of the knowledge of good and evil, by the law of the 
new covenant of light and grace, sin is not imputed ; 
and there being nothing to condemn them until they 
have sinned, consequently they are all saved ; and 
therefore sprinkling them under these bare words. 
Father, Son, hnd Holy Ghost, without the power, is 
false in faft, and a profanation of that holy name, 
though under pretence to take away original sin, and 
Save them, which is an a61: of great ignorance." 

After this the young man was silent as to any reply 
on the subjeft -, but confessed he now believed, that 
there could not be any little children in hell, but that 
all of them are saved \ and he parted with us in a very 
friendly manner. 

A few days after I had a meeting at Boston, which 
was sm?ll 5 and on the 29th arrived a sloop from Bris- 
tol, nf ar Rhode-Island, with the two young men be- 
fore-mentioned, who were under confinement for re- 
fusing to bear arms. On the 1st of the 3d month, 
accompanied by some friends, I went to the governor. 

Colonel 



llOi^ THOMAS STORY. 169 

Colonel Dudley, and requested him to release our 
friends ; he received us respeftfully, and seemed to 
lament our condition as a people, that we should ex-, 
pose ourselves to such sufferings *, but said, ^^ seeing 
the judges have giv^n such a judgment, I cannot tell 
how to dispense with it ; especially now in the time 
of war." I urged some reasons why we refused to 
fight, " especially the doctrine and practice of our 
great Lord, master, and example, the captain of our 
salvation ; who came into the world, not to destroy 
the lives of mankind, but to save them." 

Having discoursed some time on other subjects (and 
finding nothing could then be done) we parted. Af- 
ter this I WTOte to the governor, and the young men 
were at liberty when I left Boston, on their words to 
be ready upon call. 

On the 2d of 3d month we had a meeting at Boston, 
which was very full of a sober people : the truth was 
over all, and many do£irines were opened to general 
satisfaflion : infant baptism w^as discovered to be upon 
a false foundation, " that the ancestors of that people 
in New-England were once a religious people, accord- 
ing to the degree of manifestation and reformation that 
then was. 'fhat they left their native country, and 
advantages therein, for the liberty of their consciences 
in matters of religion and v/orship of God ; but that 
some of them quickly degenerated, though others, I' 
believe, being faithful to what they kn^w^ held the°r 
integrity, and were entered into rest ; but that m.any, 
in this generation, have only the image and outside of 
the religion of their ancestors, without the virtue and 
life of religion j which many of them were in posses- 
sion of and enjoyed." 

I then exhorted them to turn to the " Lord Jesus 
Christ, in the dispensation of divine light and life ; 
which now is clear from all types, shadows, and sym- 
bols : for as their ancestors lived in the dav/ning of the 
day, they did not see plainly, but as it were men as 

P trees ; 



170 LIFE OF 1704< 

trees ; and therefore had retained a Popish invention, 
instead of an ordinance of Christy viz. sprinkling of in- 
fants ; vi'-hich is as much popery, and as much without 
scripture foundation, as godfathers and the sign of the 
cross. After which I observed a distinftion between 
the dispensations of God to the Jews and Gentiles, 
though by the sam.e Saviour." Under all which they 
were patient and attentive ; many of them looking sur- 
prized at the opening of things •, truth having great 
authority over the people, at that time in general : and 
it was by much the best meeting I ever was at there, 
or in all New-England before. 

On the 3d we had a meeting at Charles-Town, over 
the Sound -, from hence went to Marble-Head, where 
we had a meeting, which was pretty large, and the 
people sober. The creation of man, his first state of 
innocence, his fall, present state of nature, and resto- 
ration by Christ the second Adam, were subie£ts of 
the testim.ony ; and the divine truth had good domi- 
nion over the people. That evening we returned to 
Lynn, and on the 5th had a meeting there ; where, 
there being no strangers, things opened to the state of 
a convinced, professing people, and the danger of set- 
ting down in any form of religion and worship, with- 
out the life and power, as well in our meetings as 
others •, for there is but either life or death, truth or 
error, in every form, or outward appearance of reli- 
gion : and where Christ appears in the midst of an 
assembly, there is life •, and where he doth not appear 
in any degree, death reigns, and God is not worship- 
ped there. 

On the 7th we were at a marriage at Salem. Here 
I remained till the 9th, being the day of their monthly 
meetin,^, which was large : Lydia Norton, Mary Daw, 
Esther Palmer, and Susanna Freeborn, all living minis- 
ters, came to that meeting. The next day we had a 
meeting r.t Ipswich, v/here there are none of our so- 
ciety •, several of the people were tendered, and gene- 
rally 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 171 

rally satisfied. The meeting being ended, I stood up 
rind said to them, " That some things might perhaps 
not have been well understood, and doubts might re- 
main ^ but if any were dissatisfied with any thing 
which had been said, or doubtful in any point, I would 
do my best to explain matters unto them :" but none 
appearing, we departed in peace ; and that afternoon 
went to Newbury, Vv'here I would have staid till the 
morning \ but there not being provender for m.y horse, 
I went over the Great River, with some Salisbury 
friends, who had been at the meeting. We lodged 
at our friend Henry Dov/e's, though it was in the 
lime of war, and not under the protection of any gar- 
rison. Several persons having bcejn killed a little be- 
fore by the Indians, Vv^ho v/ere for the French against 
the English \ I found the people in those parts under 
great fear and danger •, and the weight of their condi- 
tion and circumstances came heavy upon me. On the 
ilth I rested there j and in the morning went alone 
up a hill, not far from the house, and stood upon a 
stump of a tree, v/here I could see a garrison some 
distance off; but at the same time thought, that if any 
Indians were in ambush there, I might be a fair mark 
for them to shoot at; upon which I retired from 
thence, and descended the hill, and near the foot of it 
sat down under the side of a fence ; where my mind 
was sensibly filled with divine goodness, w^hich staid 
me there for some time ; upon my return I found the 
friends had been a little thoughtful where I could be ; 
and when I told themx I had been on the top of the 
hill, they informied me, that was the place where the 
sculking Indians sometimes came, to spy for advan« 
tages against the people. 

The same day notice was given in the neighbour- 
hood of my being come, and of the meeting to be the 
next day at the house of Thomas Nichols, which was 
held accordingly, and proved a tender meeting, the 
minds of the people being low for fear of the Indian^, 

It 



172 LIFE OF 1704. 

It was a dismal time in those parts ; for no man knew, 
in an ordinary way, on his lying down to sleep, but 
that he might lose his life before the morning, by the 
hands of a merciless savage 5 who from wrongs re- 
ceived, as they too justly say, from the professors of 
Christ in New-England, are to this day enraged, 
sparing neither age nor sex : nor are they capable of 
any intreaty, but, on the contrary, by the examples 
^et them in the destruftion of their ancestors, by the 
pretended Massachusetts Christians, promising life and 
friendship, they frequently murder their captives in 
cold blood. 

The people were generally in garrisons in the night 
time ; and some professing truth also, went into the 
same with their guns, and some without them : but the 
faithful and true, trusting in the Lord, neither used 
gun, nor garrison, sv/ord, buckler, nor spear ; the Lord 
alone being their strong tov/er, and place of refuge, 
and defence ; and great was their peace, comfort, and 
safety in him. 

That evening I had great peace, as at any time in 
my travels before -, many things were opened suiting 
the states of the people and meetings. On the 13th 
we had a m.eeting at Salisbury, where there was a gar- 
rison in some part of the town, but returned in the 
evening to Henry Dowe's, a place of as much seem- 
ing danger as any, being near a great sv/amp and 
thicket, where Indians formerly inhabited, and there 
I lodged •, where there was neither gun, nor sword, 
nor any weapon of war, but truth, faith, the fear of 
God, and love in a humble resigned mind : and there 
I rested with consolation. 

Here I think (it to relate a particular passage, viz. 
*^ The mother of H. Dov/e's w^ife, being a friend of a 
blameless life, and living in this same house with them, 
let in reasonings against their continuing in a place of 
?o much apparent danger, and frequently urged them 
to remove into the town where the garrison was, that 

they 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 173 

they miglit lodge there in the night for more safety, as 
many others, and some friends did ; which her daugh- 
ter could never be free to do, believing, that if they 
should let in any slavish fear, or distrust in the arm 
and protefbion of the Lord, some very hard thing 
would befal them j till at length her mother said to 
her, that if she could say she had the mind of the 
Lord against it, she would rest satisfied ; but nothing 
less than that could balance so rational fears in such 
obvious danger. But the young woman, being mo- 
dest, cautious, and prudent, durst not assume posi- 
tively to place her aversion to their removal so high : 
at length she and her husband complied with the mo- 
ther, and they remicved to the town, to a house near 
the garrison, where the young vv^omxan was ccnstantlv 
troubled with frightful fears of the Indians (though, 
while at the house by the swamp, she was free from 
it, and quiet) the mother, having left some sm.all 
things in the house by the swam^p, was going early in 
the morning to fetch them, and by some Indians, in 
ambush, was killed. The same morning a young 
man, a friend, going from the town to his work, v,^ith 
a gun in his hand, and another with him without any^ 
the Indians shot him who had the gun, but hurt not 
the other j and when they knew the young m.an thev 
had killed was a friend, they seemed to be sorry for it, 
but blamed him for carrying a gun: for they knew 
the Quakers would not fight, nor do them any harm ; 
and therefore by carrying a gun, they took him for an 
enemy. 

" When the town was alarmed, the young woman 
concluded her mother was slain, but did not go into 
the garrison, but took one of her children in each 
hand, and went with them into the swamp, or thicket 
full of reeds, near the place; where all her torment-- 
ing fear left her, and she was then greatly com^forted 
and strengthened in the presence of the Lcrd^ and con« 

P 2. firmed: 



174 LIFE OF 1704 

firmed In her thoughts, that they shouM not have left 
their house for their mother's fears, though reasonable 
in human view, seeing that consequence had attended ; 
after which she returned to her house by the garrison 
with her children. The loss of the mother was much 
lamented by the son and daughter, and others *, but as 
soon as her body was interred, they went back with 
their little children to the same place by the swamp ; 
where 1 lodged with them when they gave me this re- 
lation." 

On the 1 4th, and the following days, we had meet- 
ings at Nevv^bury, Hampton, and Dover. On the 20th 
accompanied by some of the most steady and con- 
cerned Iriends of the place, we went to visit several at 
liieir houses ; and among the rest, Peter Varney, a 
substantial friend, at a house he had a little way in the 
woods, and much in danger of the enemy ; and we all 
being under the weight of the state of things, and 
especially myself, under the consideration, that if I 
^ihould appoint meetings at places in the woods, and 
any person happened to be killed, or hurt, in coming 
to, or going from them, great blame might be cast 
upon me, as accessory to it, if not the cause, and the 
way of truth likewise reile£led on by my means. We 
liad very few words (and none needless) among us ; 
and I could not see my way concerning any meetings, 
or places for any : but in this state of mind, this say- 
ing presented itself before me : " He that walketh in 
** darkness knoweth not whither he goeth, but to him 
**^ who walketh in the light, there is no occasion of 
«<^ stumbling.'' And w^hen this entered, every doubt 
and fear vanished, my mind was clear, my countenance 
cheared, and the same invisible pow r reached the 
company likewise •, so that they were ad cheared up, 
and we were of one mind. Then I saw my way 
clear to appoint meetings for the week, with their 
coiicurrcncej at several places where formerly they had 

been • 



L 



1704 THOMAS STORY. IT 5 

been : all reasonings from the apparent danger of tlae 
times being fully silenced in my mind, and I had no 
further doubt about it. 

The meetings were in a good degree to satisfadlion,. 
at Oyster-River, Kittery, Cacheca, and Dover. But 
the Indians having done mischiei" in those parts in a 
cowardly manner, many were struck with great fear 
of them ; and several professing truth fell under that 
temptation, so far as to take up arms, and go into forts 
and garrisons y and a few standing faithful in the sim- 
plicity of truth, keeping tlieir habitations therein day 
and night, trusting in the Lord, and willing rather to 
lose their na^tural lives for the Lord's sake, than ofFend 
him^, or give occasion to the- enemies of tlie blessed 
truth to triumph, there happened debates among them; 
the unfaithful not being content in their unfaithful- 
ness, sought to justify themselves in that unworthy 
practice, condemning the faithful as wilful and pre- 
sumpluoua; 1 had therefore much to say in every 
meeting on that subjeft, to convince them of their 
weakness, bring them for -yard, and fortify them In 
their testim.ony 5 and especially to charge them, that 
seeing they had not full faith in the arm of the Lord^, 
they should acknov/ledge it to be their own weakness^ 
and be humble : not seek to justify them^selves there- 
in, lest the Lord should blast them, as to his truth, ^ 
and they find themselves also disappointed of the arm 
of flesh, in which they had trusted. 

In the v/ay between Dover and Hampton, I had 
some conversation with John Cotton, a Presbyterian 
minister. I exhorted him ^< Not to sit down under 
those imperfecl:, inadequate, and dark shadows, short 
of the divine substance, nor persuade the people to 
rest there, i he only baptism remaining in the church 
of Christ, is that by his Holy Spirit : and as to the true 
supper, it is that flesh and blood of Christ, the soul- 
quickening spirit and life from God ; which Vvdioso- 
ever eateth and driuketh, dwelleth in Christ, and 

Christ 



176 LIFE OF 1704. 

Christ la him. In this mankind are quickened, raised 
from death unto life, and live in him, and by him for 
ever : vt^hich cannot be effected by any other ministry 
or ministration." 

He was a mild and temperate spirited man, and we 
parted in friendship. 

After this I had meetings at Salisbury, Jamaica, and 
Haverel. At Salisbury I had occasion to say some- 
thing in behalf of women's preaching, in answer to 
one that objected. 

I said, " That no interpretation of scripture ought 
to be advanced, or admitted, which makes it contra- 
di£l itself, or one part of it another •, or one apostle 
oppose another, or contradi(3: himself, or any of the 
prophets J or the matters of facb recorded in Holy 
Writ, relating to the publick ministry of holy women 
in the church of Christ, or otherwise. 

" t irst then you may observe what Joel the pro- 
phet said, (many ages before the days of the apostles) 
relating to the dispensation of the gospel in this point, 
and the publishejs of it. ^ * And it shall come to pass 

< afterwards y that I ivill pour out my spirit on all jleshy 

* a7id your sons and your daughters shall prophesy ; your 

< old men shall dream dreams^ your young men shall see 
^ visions : and also upon the servants and upon the hand" 

* maids in those days ivill I pour out my spirit,'' The 
apostle Peter, being filled with the Holy Ghost, de- 
clares this prophecy to relate to the dispensation of 
the gospel, and to begin at that time of the great and 
glorious effusion of the Holy Spirit of Christ at Jeru- 
salem, repeating the prophecy at large. Now it is 
reasonably and morally certain, by a just and unde- 
niable consequence, that the spirit of Christ came at 
that time upon the holy women present , and that the 
women, or some of them, preached Christ to the mul- 
titude, as well as the men, having been his witnesses 

♦ Jodii. :j8,a9, 

as 



110^ THOMAS STORY. 177 

as well as they; or otherwise the application Peter 
made of that prophecy to that instance, could not 
have been adequate, and without exception, or a rea- 
sonable obje-£i:ion : for if no woman had spoken, or 
preached Christ there at that time, it might have been 
said, that the prophet mentions women as well as men, 
daughters equal with sons, but here only sons appear 
in this dispensation and on this occasion ; and there- 
fore that prophecy cannot relate to it : but no objec- 
tion of this nature appearing, it strongly follows, that 
some women preached there as well as the men at 
that time. 

*' Secondly, If daughters Vv^ere not to preach as 
well as~ sons ; handmaids as v/ell as other sen^ants, 
this prophecy could never be fulfilled, and conse- 
quently must be false ; which to say or think, would 
be prophane and blasphem.ous, and cannot be admitted 
in any wise. The apostle Paul saith, ^ * Let your wo- 

* men keep silence in the churches^ for it Is not permitted 

* unto them to speak / hut they are commanded to he under 

* obedience^ as also saith the law. And if they %vill learn 
^ any things let them ash their husbands at home : for it 
^ is a shame for women to speah in the churchy or congre- 
^ gation.' The apostle saith on another occasion, 
« Let the women learn in silence with all subje£lion, 
^ But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp au- 

* thority over the man, but to be in silence.' 

^^ Ej all which it appears, that the apostle was 
not prohibiting women in general, when inspired by 
Christ, (and thereby qualified for such services) to 
preach or pray publi^kly in the congregation; but 
such only as were imperiousj igno''*ant, untaught and 
unlearned in the way of Christ and religion ; and also 
talkative, asking impertinent questions in the congre- 
gations, occasioning debates, heats, contentions, and 
confusion. Such were not to be suffered in such evil 

* I Cor. xlv. 34. 

work* 



178 LIFE OF 1704. 

work, but to be obedient to their husbands (for he 
aimed at some m^jfried women) and learn of them at 
home in modest aiid decent silence , it being a shame 
both to the women themselves, and the congregations 
of the faithful, that such women should be permitted 
to speak in that manner in a publick way, to disturb 
them, and hinder their devotion. 

" Further, Paul direfts how women ought to be 
adorned, as well as men, in the time of the publick 
exercise of their ministry, or preaching ; and if he had 
been against all women's preaching, and yet given di- 
reclioiis concerning that circumstance, he would not 
have been consistent with himself therein, nor one 
part of his ministry with another ; for he saith, Every 
rrian praying or prophesying^ having his head covered^ dis- 
honoureth his head ; but every woman that prayeth or pro-* 
phesieth with her head uncoveredy dishoncureth her head. 
And more in the same place to that purpose : which 
still further proves, that the apostle was not against 
worn. en's preaching in the congregations, but fully al- 
lowed it \ only he endeavoured to reform some of them 
in some circumstantials and incidents pertinent to their 
ministry, in which they were wanting at that time, 

^^ And also Philip, an evangelist, one of the seven 
deacons, and an able minister of Christ, had four 
daughters virgins, who did prophesy •, and seeing they 
were daughters of so eminent a minister of Christ as 
Philip was, without all reasonable contradi£lion, not 
only Philip himself, but the churches of Christ, 
wherever they ministered, approved them therein. 
Upon the whole, we must needs conclude, that wo- 
men, as well as men, may and ought to prophesy, 
preach, and pray publickly in the church and churches 
of Christ, when thereunto qualified and called by Christ, 
under the immediate direction and influence of his 
Holy Spirit and power, as those holy women were ; 
without which neither male nor female, under any 
other qualification or pretence whatsoever, ought to 

intrude 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 179 

intrude themselves, or meddle ; lest that question^ un- 
der the displeasure of the Almighty, be asked of such. 
Who hath required this at your hands ? and incur a 
just punishment in the end." 

The people were generally attentive : some opposi- 
tion was met with from one or two persons, bringing 
for the most part false assertions, without any proof, 
who exposed themselves to the just censure of the 
people, and rather confirmed them in the truth of 
what we had delivered, than hurt the cause of truth. 

After this I went to Henry Dowe's, and next morn- 
ing had a meeting of ministering friends there. The 
presence and power of the Lord was eminently with 
us, to the glory of his own name *, and m.any things 
were brought to remembrance, and opened to our mu- 
tual edification and consolation : they being for the 
most part young in that exercise, things opened in m.e 
to my own admiration ; so that it was one of the best 
meetings I had been at in those parts. That evening 
I v/ent again to Haverel, and on the 6th we had a 
meeting there, in which the Lord was v/ith us ; mxany 
things were opened, and truth came over all. The 
next day I v/ent to Salem, from thence to Marblehead 
and Lynn, having meetings. On the 15th I returned 
to Boston, and went to see the two young men, who 
were still kept there as prisoners, but well used beyond 
expectation. We v/ent to see the captain of the fort, 
to acknowledge his civility to our friends, and he was 
very respe£tful to us : but in the mean time came se- 
veral merchants from Boston, and some members of 
the assembly, and the chaplain of the castle, by pro- 
fession a Bap.ist, who soon began to bring false accu- 
sations against the Quakers, and rail against the light ; 
pretending to give a description of the faith of the 
Quakers, and prove it erroneous, allowing us to be 
moral men, but no Christians. Upon which I took 
him up, and said, " it was rude, and unreasonable in 
*^ him, to pretend to give an account of other men's 
, ' ^« faith^ 



180 LIFE OF 1704' 

'« faith, and falsely too, in contradidlion to themselves, 
'^ when any of them were present." 

This surprized him a Hrtle ; and then I cited out of 
the first chapter of John the Evangelist, a text, <^ That 
*^ the Vv^ord is God ^ that he is light, the true I-ght, 
^« which Hghteth every man who cometh into the 
^^ world. And that the sam.e word was made or as- 
<« sumed flesh, and was in that manifestation, called 
<< Jesus Christ, the anointed Saviour : this light is that 
<^ true light, in whom the (2uakers believe; and there- 
<^ fore thou art injurious to allirm (as he had then 
<^ done) that v/e believe in the false light of our own 
^^ fallen nature." But it growing late, and having 
about a league by water to Boston, and not time to 
pi'oceed on that subject, there the matter ended. 

On the 17th, being first day of the week, 1 was at 
our meeting there, and on the 20th had a meeting at 
Cambridge (where they have a college for the educa- 
tion of youth •, and where many of them are fitted for 
an artificial ministry in their way) being disappointed 
of the place we intended to have held the meeting in, 
we sat down upon the ground, under the shade of a 
large spreading oak, on a green before the buildings 
of the college ; and several of the students were pre- 
sent. Various matters were opened " concerning the 
state of man in the fall ; the necessity of freedom from 
sin in this life, by the manifestation of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, who appears in us the oirspring of the Gen- 
tiles, according <o the promises and covenants of God, 
by his divine ligl-t, grace, and holy spirit in our hearts •, 
and that Christ is that true Hglty ivhich lighteth every 
man that cometh 'into the ivorld^ as well as he is the pro^ 
pitiation for the sins cf the ivhole ivorlcL 

« And as to the way that God makes, raises, quali- 
fies, and sends his ministers in his church, and unto 
mankind in this dispensation, it is the same as in the 
days cf the prophets and apostles, and ever will be 
(for God cliangeth not) not by human learning, or in 

the 



1704 THOMAS STORY, ISl 

the wit and wisdom of man, but in and by the word 
and wisdom of God ; some of the prophets of old 
were learned among men, as Isaiah, but generally un- 
learned, as Amos, Elisha, Joel, and the rest : and some 
of the apostles likewise were learned, as Paul ^ but 
generally unlearned, as Peter, James, John, and most 
of the rest The word of God, which was in the be- 
ginning with God, came unto the prophets of God, 
by which they declared the mind of God unto his 
people, and the judgments of God against the pro- 
phets, v/ho spoke false things from their own imagi- 
nations, and not from the Lord ; and sometimes stole 
the words of the Lord by the true prophets, and spake 
as if the Lord had sent them, and, by their false doc- 
trine and lies, made the people err •, but the Lord de- 
nied these prophets, and reproved them by his true 
prophets. And the apostles of Christ were not ap- 
pointed or ordained of men, but by Christ himself^ by 
whose holy spirit they were filled, being the wisdom 
of God and the power of God, by and from which 
they preached unto the people, and reproved the Rab- 
bles of the age, and exposed their evil ways and er- 
rors : and yet human learning, where the mind is fully 
subjected unto the spirit of truth, and subservient to 
it, may be useful, as in Paul, but not to be preferred 
as the chief qualification in that service : unto w^hich, 
through the pride and vain glory of the carnal unmor- 
tified minds of self-exalting men, it has frequently 
done much more harm than ever it did good. And, 
as saith the apostle to the Gentiles, * ' For ye see 
* your calling brethren, how that not many Vvdse men, 
^ after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are 
^ called ; but God hath chosen the foolish things of 
^ the world to confound the wise, and God hath cho- 
« sen the weak things of the world to confound the 
■« things which are mighty \ gnd base things of the 



I Cor." i. %6o 



^ 



< 



182 LIFE OF 1704 

^' world, and things which are despised, hath God 
choserjj yea, and things which are not, to bring to 

* nought things which are, that no flesh should glory 

* in his presence^ 

" And as no fountain can send forth sweet and bit- 
ter waters at the same time and place, I exhorted the 
students not to sin against God, by depending upon 
their qualifications and acquirements in that their 
fountain of human learning, and run when God doth 
not send them \ and so imbitter the minds of the peo- 
ple, by sowing of tares, a false and evil seed, prepos- 
t-essitig them^e'ves against the truth. I pointed to 
some passages in Jeremiah, where it is said, * * Thus 

* saith the I^ord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words 

* of the prophets, that prophesy unto you ; they make 

* you vain \ they speak a vision of their own hearts, 
^ and not out of the mouth of the Lord ; they say still 

* unto them who despise me, the Lord hath said, Ye 
shall have peace ; and they said unto every one that 

*^' walketh after the imagination of his own heart, no 

* evil shall corrie upon you,^ To this are added, great 
threaten ings against the false prophets ; but it men- 
tions, that in the latter days it should be considered 
perfeflly. 

" It was my desire that their fountain might be so 
seasoned with the salt of the covenant of life, that 
they might escape all those evils, and that they might 
com.e to drink of that living fountain, v/hich is as a 
liver of living water to those who rightly believe in 
the Lord Jesus. I observed also to them, that their 
ancestors, who first came into this country, and the 
ancient Puritans, of whom they came, were a religious 
people, according to the degree of manifestation then 
received \ depending upon the gift of God in their 
ministry, and not upon human literature : for though 
bome of them had learning, many of their ministers 

* Jer. xxlii. l6. 

ff had 



no4 THOMAS STORY. 183 

had not, but were called gifted brethren; and that 
those were the men who gathered the congregations 
in those days, the bees, who gathered the honey ! 
on the dregs and decays whereof the present drones 
are now feeding : and that the glory is departed from 
their Israel, which shall never be restored in the form 
and image left of their ancestors, but in the life of the 
Lamb, whom this age have too much rejected : but it 
they would receive the truth in the present dlspensa-- 
tion of it, that is, of divine light and grace revealed in 
the heart, the glory should yet return to New-Eng- 
land; and shine brighter than ever, and more and more 
unto the perfeft day : but if they refused, then all the 
blood, both of Christians and Indians, shed by their 
ancestors, should bv; visited, and recompensed upcu 
them in the course of the Pro^ddence of God in jus- 

The meeting was concluded in prayer to God foF 
them all, both magistrates, ministers, the college and 
people ; and all ended in solidity and peace, to the 
general satisfaction -, for I did not observe a light or 
dissatisfied countenance. 

The next day I was at a meeting at Boston, and 
likewise on the 25th, being first day of the week, at 
the meetings, v^^hieh were both large and satisfactory. 
From hence I went to Nantasket, Scituate, Marsh- 
field, Sandwich, Dartmouth, Cushnet, and into th^ 
Island of Nantucket, and had divers open meetings, 
till the 24th of 5th month, when two meetings were 
held at Martha's Vineyard, an island between Nan- 
tucket and the m_ain. From hence I v/ent to Bart- 
mouth, and on the 28th to Warwick, to a ye'^.rly meet- 
irig, which was to begin there the day following ; and 
continued by adjournmxent to the meeting-house at 
Providence the next day, being the first of the week. 

On the 31st I was at Greenwich, at another meet- 
ing ; where I was concerned to speak against divers 
enormitiesj and especially whispering, backbiting, tra- 
ducing 



184 LIFE OF 1704 

^ducing, and villlfying, as works of the evil one, and. 
of the flesh. After the meetmg several persons went 
to Ebenezer Slocomb, an honourable and able minis- 
ter of truth, and made confession of things they had 
unjustly reported against him, asking him forgiveness. 
Next day, being first of sixth month, I had a meeting 
in Narraganset. Some persons were well satisfied, 
and confirm.ed in their understandings against the per- 
nicious dodlrine of predestination, and for the sole 
baptism of the Holy Spirit. On the 2d and 3d v/e 
had meetings at Canonicut and Newport, on the 7th 
and 8th at Wiccopinsit and Taunton ; in this last 
place the m^eeting was held at an inn : after which I 
had conversation with several persons on religious 
matters, to th^ honour of truth, and satisfaftion of 
many present. 

On the 9th we went into the island of Canonicut, 
'vhere I met with a Baptist teacher, v/ho, enquiring 
after news from the army gone into the East towards 
Canada against the French, took occasion to tell us 
he had two sons there ; and by degrees we fell into 
conversation upon the subject of war : he pleaded 
*' the necessity of the temporal sword in general, and 
the continuance of it under the gospel (as well as be- 
fore) under the umbrage of the suppression of robbers, 
murderers, and other evil doers ; and that when any 
one nation would unjustly invade another, and her 
rights, properties, and privileges, it is as murder, theft, 
rapine, piracy, and the like : so that since the magis- 
trate (and the king as chief) beareth not the sword in 
vain, it is not wholly taken away by the gospel, so long 
as magistracy, and the cause and use of it remain." 

To this I answered, " That the sword there men- 
tioned, is not, as I apprehend, the sword of destruc- 
tion, nation against nation, nor the necessity of the use 
of such a sword in the civil state ; but rather the sword 
of civil justice, in execution of civil, temporal, and 
righteous laws 5 whereby the civil magistrate is, or 

ought 



1704. THOMAS STORY. 185 

ought to be, a terror to the evil doer, a7id a safeguard^ 
and praise to them that do ivellJ^ 

He replied, " That if force by arms were not to be 
made use of in apprehending thieves, robbers, and the 
like, they would not submit to be apprehended and 
brought to justice, but go on by force to do those 
mischiefs/' 

To this I replied, " That magistracy being God'y 
ordinance, to that, and other good, social, and salutary 
ends, the countenance of God is wnth the civil officer 
in his just prosecution, and execution of his office; 
and the Almighty having power over all spirits, for 
the most part strikes a terror into evil doers, when they 
are only discovered and accused °, so that it is very rare 
that any such resist the powers by force, but by stealth 
only, however, forc^ may be allowed in this case, in 
the hand of a proper officer, whose business and duty 
it is to apprehend and bring to justice furious and in- 
corrigible transgressors of righteous lavv^s and ordi- 
nances of men, for the just rule of countries and na- 
tions. But here I must distinguish between the king-^ 
dom of Christ, and the kingdom of this world, in or- 
der to bring this matter to a right understanding and 
period : the Lord by several of his prophets hath, fore- 
told, ^ * That he shall judge among many people, and" 

* rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat 
^ their swords into plough-shares, and their spears 

< into pruning-hooks ; nation shall not lift up a svv^ord 

< against nation, neither shall they learn war any more "* 
This is to com.e to pass under the new covenant, ot 
which Christ the Son of God is mediator , w^hcse dec - 
trine tends to the fulfilling of it, in all who believ.^ 
and obey the gospel. For he saith, ^ f Ye have heard 

* that it hath been said. Thou shalt love thy neighbour, 

* and hate thine enemy j but I say unto you, Love your 
^enemies, bless them that curse you, and Ao good to^ 

* Isa. ii. 4, Mic iv. 3. f- Matt^ v. 4?, 4 J. 

02 ^ ^-th<;m: 



186 LIFE OF no* 

* them that hate you ; and pray for them who despite- 
^ fully use you and persecute you/ And so preached 
perfe£lion, which being accomplished in the heart 
by the holy and powerful Spirit of him who preached 
this doftrine, all lust is taken away and destroyed ; 
whether it be the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, 
of vain glory, of power, domination, self- exaltation, 
covetousness ; the lust oi envy, revenge, and the like ; 
which are the ground and cause of wars and fight- 
ings among carnal men y as saith the apostle James ; 
^"^ ^ From v/hence come wars and fightings among you ? 
' Come they not from hence, even from your lusts 
^ that war in your members ? Ye lust and have not ; 

* ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain ; ye 
' fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not ; 
^ ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye 
« may consume it upon your lusts.' Now though the 
kings and kingdoms of this world may be at war, and 
do and will make war one against another for a time, 
until the kingdom of Christ shall prevail over all ; yet 
the kingdom of Christ is not of this world, as he said 
unto Pilate, f ^ If my kingdom were of this world, 

* then would my servants fight, that I should not be 
^ delivered to the Jews ; but nov/ is my kingdom not 
< from hence.' And as he was sent into the world in 
the love of the Father, so the whole tenor of his doc- 
trine, and example of his life, was for peace and love ; 
and in that love, and in the power and divine virtue of 
it, he yielded up his life and body on the cross, a pro- 
pitiation for the sins of the whole world, and to de- 
clare the mercy of God to mankind. And the apostle 
saith concerning the members and subje£ls of the 
kingdom of Christ in this world j :j: ^ For though we 

* walk in the fiesh, we do not war after the flesh -, for 

* the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 

* through God, to the pulling down of strong holds, 

'^ jeim. iv, I. 4, 5. t J^-^ ^"^i-i' 3^* I ^ Ccr; x. 3,4,5' 

^ pasting 



n04, THOMAS STORY. IST 

^ casting down imaginations (or reasonings) and every 
^ high thing which exalteth itself against the, know- 
' ledge of God, and bringing into captivity every 
^ thought to the obedience of Christ/ 

^^ As the kingdom of Christ is not of this world, he 
governs by his Holy Spirit^ in and over such as are 
not of this world, but are given him out of the Vv^orld, 
over whom, in ail ages and succession of time, he 
hath ruled in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy 
Ghost J and shall yet reign, till, by degrees, the king- 
doms of this world shall ail become the kingdoms of 
our God, and his Christ : and then shall be an end of 
all rule and dominion, but only of God, and the Lord 
Jesus Christ, who shall be all in all among the chil- 
dren of men : but until this be finished by degrees 
(as it is now begun, and proceeds) the kingdom of 
Christ on earth is, and shall be, as at the first, a holy 
nation, a royal priesthood^ a peculiar people, zealous 
of good works, not to fight and destroy, pr to meddle 
with the kingdoms or rule of the world ; against whom 
there is no law founded upon righteousness and truth : 
but until this be accomplished, nation will lift up 
sword against nation, and they will learn and exercise 
war y but as to us, we, through the mercy and good- 
ness of God, are of those in v/hom this prophecy is 
begun to be fulfilled, and we can learn war no m.ore : 
for as a nation shall not be born in one day, so this 
prophecy shall not be fulfilled in one generation, but 
in several ; but being fulfilled, shall not fail any more 
for ever : but as for you, who are yet in wars and 
fightings, hov/ are ye his subjeQs, or members of hisL 
holy nation, his royal priesthood, or peculiar people ? 
or how can you be so, until you obey his doftrine, tor 
love God above all, to love one another in him, to 
love your enemies, do good unto them that hate you, 
and pray for them v/ho despitefully use and persecute 
you.. 

« And 



Ssa* LIFE OF 170* 

<^ And as for us^ who do not fight with carnal wea- 
pons, we meddle not with you who do, otherv/ise 
than to persuade you to leave that offj and be enlisted 
under the saving banner of the Prince of Peace ; to 
believe in the divine light of the Son of God ; to come 
out of the spirit of this world, in which is all trouble, 
into the spirit and kingdom of Christ, in whom th:re 
is perfeft peace ; which, if ye will not do, we must 
leave you to fight one with another, until you are 
weary, and have the recompence of it, one by ano- 
ther, in the natural consequences of that destruftive 
evil ; with this caution of the apostle nevertheless, 
that if you bite and devour one another, take heed lest 
ye be destroyed one of another. 

<^ And I desire you to leave us to the Lord, to serve 
him, unto whom we belong, and fight in his name, 
under his banner, against the implacable enemy of our 
souls ; against whom we find warring sufficient, and' 
fighting enough daily, though we war not among you 
to destruftion, nor one with another to the breach of 
peace." 

By this time the spirit of my opponent was over- 
come, and after some further discourse concerning 
"baptism, we parted friendly; which 1 endeavour to 
do, after every contest for the faith and do£i:rine of 
Christ, with all men ; my chief aim being to convince^ 
and open the understandings of opposers, and the au- 
ditors, which is the most noble and Christian end. 

On the 12th I went to see Ann Bull (an ancient 
friend, who, in time past, had gone with messages to 
King Charles 11. on behalf of friends) and several 
other friends. 

• On the ISth, being the first day of the week, I was 
again at the meeting at Newport, which was large; 
the doftrine of the gospel opened clear, and truth was 
in dominion, many hearts being broken, (some of whoni 
were bold and hardy commanders of privateers) to the 

honour 



170^ THOMAS STORY. 189 

honour and glory of the Lord ; which happened at 
this expression in the authority of truth, " That many 
*^ are so courageous^ as men, that they dare go on un- 
^^ daunted in the face of great ordnance and cannon 
" shot, as contemning death, and yet are subdued and 
^< laid prostrate by the soft and melting reaches of that 
" diWne love in their heaats, in which the Lord Jesus 
*^ laid dov/n his precious life for the redemption of 
" their souls." 

On the l-^th I went over to Boston Neck, where I 
met vvich Thomas Chalkley, who this last week had 
been visiting Narraganset ^ we had a meeting appoint- 
ed a little in our way homeward the next day, which 
was an open good meeting, wherein many were com- 
forted and confirmed in the truth* ^ 

On the 17th coming to Guilford, we stopt at an inn 
on account of the rain ; where being made sensible of 
the operation of truth, and the love of it springing in 
my heart, I found a concern for a meeting in that 
place, which I acquainted Thomas Chalkley with, who 
liking the proposal, I told the innkeeper we desired to 
see some of the more sober sort of the people of the 
place, and have a meeting with them. After som.e 
hesitation, he undertook to give notice in the neigh- 
bourhood of our being there, and there came a pretty 
many young men in the evening. I mentioned to 
them our way of sitting in silence, to wait upon God, 
until he might please to open something in our under- 
derstandings for the auditory ^ and so we all sat still : 
and the Lord having prepared my heart, I was quickly 
ready, and had a very open acceptable time among 
them ; but not being long, T, Chalkley concluded the 
meeting in prayer, to our general satisfaftion ; and 
some of the people in particular declared openly their 
satisfaction with what had been said 5 and we had 
great peace in the Lord. We lodged there that nighty 
and on the 18th went to Stratfield, where at the inn, 
m the next room to us, was a very rude company of 

\ 



190 LIFE OF 1704 

the professors of that place, who kept almost m con- 
tmual laughter and folly -, but as we were at supper, 
our landlady, and a young woman came in, and the 
young woman^ addressing herself very modestly to us, 
said, ^' I have often heard of your people and profes- 
sion, but have never seen any of you before, and I 
would be heartily glad to have some discourse with you 
about your principles ; for I desire to know the truth, 
and to follow it/' Then said 1, " Remember what 
the Lord Christ said. Wo unto them that laugh noii)^ for 
they shall mourn ; and what the wise man said, // is 
letter to go to the house of mournings tha?i to the house of 
laughter ; adding, that God was about to turn the 
world upside down, that that which is uppermost may 
be brou^t undermost, and that which is lowest may 
be exalteS above all ; this put them both to deep and 
solid silence. I added, " There are a sort of people 
in the world, who, professing to believe in Christ the 
Son of God, yet live jovial, airy, wanton, unconcern- 
ed, unrnortified lives during their whole course in this 
life ; and knov/ no cross to their own wills, but live 
and die in their sins, and yet dream of salvation at 
last, though under woes from Christ, the Saviour of 
all who believe in him, follow and obey him ; and as 
man's own lusts reign in him, in his natural state, and 
the evil one ruleth him therein, and is uppermost ^ so 
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and 
crucified in Sodom and Egypt, the dark, ignorant, and 
depraved hearts of wicked and ungodly mankind, lies 
undermost in themselves ; but the Father of all, by his 
divine light and almighty power, is come, and coming 
more and more, to destroy the kingdom of darkness 
and ignorance, and the pov/er of it, and to advance 
and establish the kingdom and reign of Christ the 
Lord in the hearts of mankind ; of the increase of 
whose kingdom, government and peace, there shall be 

It 



1704 THOMAS STORY. 191 

It growing late, we soon retired, recommending 
them to the Lord. 

On the 19th we went to Maranock, and next day 
were at the meeting at Westchester ; after which, vv^e 
went over the Sound into Long-Island. On the 22d 
had a meeting at Jamaica, and here we went to visit 
our friend Samuel Bownas, still a prisoner for the tes- 
timony of the truth. After taking several other meet- 
ings, on the 28th I went to New- York, and the day 
after had a good and comfortable meeting there. On 
the 30th we set forward for Philadelphia, and the 
same day got over at Amboy Ferry into East Jersey, 
where we lodged at an inn ; the next day rode 50 
miles to Burlington, in West Jersey j and the day af- 
ter, being 1st of the 7th month, to Philadelphia; 
where that evening, and the next two days, I felt 
more oppression of the seed of life in my mind, than 
in all my travels among the blind professors and sa-- 
vages of New-England ; the cause w^hereof m.ay the 
Lord himself discover, reprove, judge, and amend, as 
in his wisdom and goodness it may please him, to his 
own glory : to whom, for his mighty aid, many pre- 
servations, and great love, in this journey, be immor- 
tal honour, saith my soul ! Amen. 

Having thus finished my journey to New- York, 
Long-Island, Rhode-Island, and New-England, I set- 
tled to the business of my ouices at Philadelphia, in 
the mean time visiting m^eetings in to\TO and country, 
as occasion offered, until the i4th day of the 2d month 
1705; when I left Philadelphia, in order to visit 
friends in Maryland, Virginia, and North-Carolina ; 
and next day was at Concord meeting, where truth 
prevailed, and things were well. The next morning 
I set forward, accomipanied by several friends, and 
went over Susquehannah River to the house of Tho- 
mas Brown ; where though coming in late, and nei- 
ther he, nor any of h is family of our society, yet we 
v/ere kindly entertaine d. 

On 



»92 LIFE OF i70j 

On the I7th, in the afternoon, we came to William 
Peckets, who, though not under our profession, yet 
was zealous for the truth, and received us kindly : he 
agreed to our having a meeting next day at his house, 
and sent his servants several ways to give notice in the 
country ; and in the mean time he told me of some 
discourses which had happened among the people in 
those parts, since I had been there before : for in a 
great meeting on that side the Bay, I had reminded 
the members of the national church of England, " of 
what they call their baptismal vow and promise, made 
in so solemn a manner before God and man, when 
they are sprinkled : for then they promise and vow 
three great things by themselves and sureties. First, 
To renounce the devil, and all his works, the pomps 
and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful 
lusts of the flesh. Secondly, To believe all the arti- 
cles of the Christian faith. And, Thhdly, To keep 
God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the 
same all the days of their lives ^ and this they are 
taught to believe is their duty : and as, by their pub- 
lick confession, they had broken all those promises and 
vows ; and, from being made members of Christ, chil- 
dren of God, and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, 
in their baptism, have so far renounced it, and are so 
far fallen and degenerated from that state, as to have 
erred and strayed from the ways of the Lord like lost 
sheep ; follov/ed too much the devices and desires of 
their own hearts •, offended against the holy laws of 
God ; left undone those things vidiich they ought to 
have done, and done those things which they ought 
not to have done ; so that there is no health in them, 
but they are miserable sinners •, and so, from time to 
time, year to year, to the end of their days, still go 
on in the same way, and yet call Christ, the Son of 
God, their Lord and Saviour, and God their Father ; 
though they live and die in their sins, and are not 
saved from them, if this confession be true : and there- 
fore 



1705 THOMAS STORY. 

fore it might be charged upon them by the Al^ 
Creator, and Judge of the world, as perjur- 
sight; and for that cause, and in zeal for t'- 
tion, and, if possible, to awaken them from ... 
sleep of sin, I had cried aloud in that meetings 
£ul nation ! O perjured people ! how greatly dot>t t 
provoke the Most High by so great apostacy, and 
parture from the living God ? How canst thou ans^ 
the Lord in that day which is hastening upon thee r 
Exhorting them to repent, amend, return to the Lord^ 
and perform their vows with all diligence and sincerity^ 
that so their sins might be pardoned, blotted out, and 
remembered no more." 

William Pecket informed me that a man of emi- 
nence in that country, and some others, had been at 
the meeting, and were offended with what I had said, 
and that he had invited him to the meeting which v/as 
now held, and the people were still and atte^^tive, and 
we. were favoured with divine goodness. 

After the meeting we went forward, and lodged at 
John Hay's, he and his wi'e being friendly ; and on 
the 19th had a meeting at Patapsco : we were favour- 
ed with a sensible degree of divine life with us, but 
not in such aboundings, as at some other times and 
places. There had been several lately convinced in 
those parts, particularly Richard Cromwell, who had 
been a justice of peace ; and having been- convinced 
of truth the last time I was that way, stands nobly, 
having divested himself of the troubles attending that 
ofFice, and of divers other incumbrances. 

On the 22d, being the In day of the vveek, were 
at West River meeting, which was shut up, and hard 
in the beginning of it , but at the pleasare of him who 
openeth, and none can shut, and when he shutteth, 
none can open, the way and fountain of life ; truth 
broke through at las:, and all was v/ell and comfort- 
able. After the m^eeting, we went up to Samuel Gal- 
loway's, his wife lying very ill ^ with whom, and the 

R family. 



l94 LIFE OF rWo 

family, and seme friends, we had an open comfortable 
time in prayer, the love of God, and his good presence, 
being plentifully with us ; and she was much refresh- 
ed, saying, " that though the Lord had not been want- 
<^ ing to her, yet she had not such a season of his 
^« goodness for about six months before, during the 
«« time of her illness hitherto." 

After this I was at meetings at West River, Herring 
Creek, &c. In my way to Virginia we were plenti- 
fully entertained by the master and mistress of a 
liouse where we stopped, who set us over the river^ 
about seven miles, and up a creek in his own boat, 
and all free, only what we could persuade him to suf- 
fer his servants to receive, as a gratuity for their pains. 
We landed at the house of Francis Thornton, and af- 
ter having a meeting, proceeded, and had meetings at 
Black Creek, Curies, Levy Neck •, and on the 27th of 
Sd month, being the first of the week, we went to the 
meeting at Cbuckatuck, which was indifferent large 
and open •, but as I was speaking, there came a very 
strong blast of wind upon the broadside of the house ; 
and the door being open, the house Vv^as thereby the 
more in danger, and sensibly moved by the violence 
of the storm : many of the people were surprized and 
disordered, and some Vv^ent out -, but the power of truth 
being over all fears at that time in me, I continued 
speaking, advising the people to be still j and the 
meeting being quieted and settled, the truth came 
over all the assembly : the storm abating, many drew 
nearer, and were very attent ve ; for the matter was 
weighty, it being concerning the coming of Christ in 
the flesh, his office, and the end of his coming, both 
outwavdly and inwardly, as a sacrifice for sin, and the 
destroyer of the kingdom of Satan in all who believe ; 
and the meeting ended comfortably. 

From hence I went on towards Carolina, and on 
the 3d of 4th month was at the meeting at Piquim- 
mons, which was large and comfortable. After this, 

had 



llOo THOMAS STORY. W^ 

had meetings at several places ; and on the 9th went 
to Joseph Jordan's, and havhig fixed upon a place for 
the meeting, with the concurrence^ of several of the 
most competent friends, I returned to Emanuel Low's, 
where I had been before. And here we met with 
Thomas Gary, the governor of North-Carolina ; with 
whom I had much discourse about matters of govern- 
ment, and informed him of the methods taken by- 
some governors in other governments, in favour of our 
friends against the severity of some laws. 

On the 10th we went to a meeting on the other side 
the River Pasquotank ; many of the country people 
came to it, who were generally sober ; and the Lord 
opened the truths of the gospel very clear, and v/ith 
authority. On the i2th we had a meeting at Upper 
Piquimmons, which was the best and most powerful 
meeting I had in that country •, the next day I went 
back into Virginia 50 miles, being exceeding hot wea- 
ther, and no inn, nor house in the way to entertain 
us. On the i4th I was at the monthly meeting at 
Chuckatuck ^ which was very large, and the whole 
pubiick service of it fell upon me. Next day we had 
another meeting there, which was also large ^ and 
many things opening in my testimony concerning go^ 
vernment, and the duty of the m.agistrates, according 
to the Holy Scriptures, I understood afterwards there 
were three in that station present, who came to me 
after the meeting v/as over, and were very respectful. 

On the 17th I went to Nathan Nev^rby's, to a meet- 
ing appointed ; which v/as large and open, truth pre- 
vailing to its ovv^n glory. After this meeting, in our re- 
turn towards Robert Jordan's, the company was taken 
with the greatest storm of lightning, thunder, and rain, 
that ever I remember to have been in before; insom.uch, 
that the fire and water seemed to be commixed in their 
descending upon us, and the thunder so sharp and so- 
norous, and so near, as if it had been bombs splitting 
among, us ; so that I, being the second in the com- 

pany^ 



196 LIFE 0¥ 1705 

oiiny, looked back several times, to see if any were 

■Tin behind : and it was attended with a stifling smell 

sulphur. The storm abating a little, it was quickly 

newed with equal shew of terror ; so that we had 
long for about the space of eight miles in the first, 
three in the latter, in a very dreadful manner ; but 
, • Lord preserved us from all harm*, and though I 
\ . s a little concerned at the first approaches of so ter- 
rible threatenings, by an irresistible power, though 
from natural causes ; yet feeling the Creator near, who 
ordains it, and that his all-ruling authority was above, 
and over it, and all things, I was much comforted in 
him, in the time of the most apparent danger, for 
which I was greatly thankful to the Lord, and for our 
preservation ! which was the more remarkable, as we 
observed several great trees had been shattered to 
pieces by it; we got safe to Robert Jordan's that 
evening : but another storm, with much thunder and 
rain coming on in the night, awakened the family, and 
some of them were much terrified •, but upon my re- 
tiring inward, I had great peace in the good presence 
of the Lord, and his love expelled all fears. 

On the 20th I was at a meeting at Dirasco-Neck, 
which was pretty large •, and at the conclusion of it a 
person opposing, I had much to say in answer to his 
obje6!:ions to what had been delivered in the meeting, 
of the necessity of freedom from sin in this life, in 
order to fit us for the kingdom of God. This contest 
detaining us late, we went (within night) to Matthew 
Jordan's, and on the 2 1st had a hrge good meeting 
at Levy-Neck, alias Pagan Creek. 

■ On the 22d I was at Lyon's Creek meeting in Surry, 
held in the house of Benjamin Chapman. On the 24:th 
at the yearly meeting at Queen's Creek, and from 
thence went to Hicquotan, and Chuckatuck, where, 
accompanied by Joseph Glaister, I had disputes with 
two persons on the subjefts of baptism, and the neces- 
sity of freedom from sin > which ended to our gre-K: 

satisfaction^. 



1705 THOMAS STORY. 19? 

satisfaction^ aad the good liking of many, both friends 
and others. 

The method I took was, to let my opponent have 
his full time in every question before 1 replied, usually 
asking him if he had done, before I answered (though 
he sometimes interrupted me) and pausing a little be- 
tween, that neither he, nor any for him, might here- 
after say, he WaS overborne with words ; which gave 
some of the less intelligent sort occasion to imagine, 
that during all his discourse I h^d nothing to say, or 
was pinched for an answer ^ but others of the wiser 
sort took it as it was, that all might be fairly and clearly 
debated, and w^ere much m.ore satisfied, than if I had 
broke in with my answers before he had done •, and 
they had the less to say of any unfair dealing, or tha: 
he could have said more, if he had had liberty frcm 
interruptions, &c. 

The dispute being ended, and having dined with 
Major Jordan, who kindly entertained us, w^e returned 
that night over Nancemond River to Robert Jordan's^ 
where I staid next day, writing letters, and some part 
of the dispute. We were again at Chuckatuck on the 
12th •, and the court-house being in our way, we call- 
ed there, and all the magistrates were kind to us ; 
Major Jordan and his son left the bench, and walked 
with us half a mile, parting with us in great respec?t ; 
and as we v/alked along^ he told me, that he had heard> 
since the last dispute, we had fifty to one on our side 
among the people, and that it was thought most of 
them were turning Quakers. I told him, 1 was glad 
to hear it •, but thought, I had rather heard they were 
turned, than turning; for the cross is too hard for 
23aany there, as elsewhere, who are convinced, but net 
©bedient, because of the glory and friendship of the^ 
world. 

On the 13th I set forward for Kicquatan, and went 
lo Nancemond Town, from thence to Queen's Creek, 
Skimino, Black Creek, Potomack, West River, Pa-- 

R 2 tuxent,. 



19S ' LIFE OF 17m 

tuxent, and had meetings; and on the l7th of 6th 
month I arrived safe and well at Philadelphia, to the 
praise of the great name of the Lord, who was with 
me in all my exerc ses, in his mercy and loying-kind- 
ness, and by his holy arm sustained me in things too 
hard for . me ! To whom be thanksgiving, through 
Christ Jesus my Saviour, for ever and ever. Amen ! 

Having had a concern upon my mind for some 
years to visit Barbadoes, Jamaica, and some other 
'islands in the West-indies, in the service of truth ; 
and the Lord having wrought a willingness in me, 
and, in the course of his Providence, made way 
through many difficulties ; on the 18th of the 11th 
month 1708-9, I sailed from Philadelphia on board a 
sloop, H. Stephens, master ; we anchored at Newcas- 
tle that evening, and on the 20th proceeding on our 
voyage, arrived safe and well at Barbadoes on the 9th 
of 12th month, after a passage of about fifteen days 
from the Capes to the island ; for which I was truly 
thankful to the Lord, the over-ruler of all- things. 

Landing in the m^orning, and two meetings falHnv^ 
of course that day in Bridge Town, I had the i^dvantagc 
to be there, to my great comfoit and satisfaction in th^ 
Lord, who was pleased to give me a full confirmation 
in myself concerning my call thither ; though he did- 
not appear much by me then, other than in greatly 
tendering my spirit before him in silence, and sending 
forth an efllux of many tears at several times during 
these two meetings-, for I had but a sentence or two 
to speak in each. On the 16th, after a meeting at the 
Spring, ^not being aware of the nature of the climate, 
I took cold, which proved exercising, and reduced me 
to so great weakness, that 1 was not able to attend my 
meeting for some time. Being a little recovered, on 
the 27th I v/as again at the Spring meeting, where I 
had some concern. I returned that night to Joseph 
Gamble's, where I staid some. days, and then was at 
meetings at Bridge Town, Spikes, Pumkiu-hill, and 

othet 



1709 THOMAS STORY. 199- 

ether places, tlil the 19th of the 2d month, when f 
was again at Spikes, and had a meeting •, which con- 
sisting for the most part of such as come to meetings, 
the testimony for that day, after a long and heavy time 
in silence, went against those who had professed truth, 
and vv^ere not faithful ; but rather secretly encouraged 
their children in such things as the testimony of truth 
is gone forth against in this generation in mixed mar- 
riages, in the glory of the world, and love of it ; after 
the meeting I went away indifFerent easy. 

On the 23d we visited our friend, Nathaniel Curtis^ 
who at that time was^ verv weak, with whom we had 
some time in prayer ; after which he expressed great 
satisfaction, and said,/* It is in vain to m.ake promises 
** to the Lord, considering the weakness and frailty c-f 
*^ man; but if it may please the Lord to restore my 
^* former health, I hope to be more circumspeft, and 
" spend- the remainder of my days m.ore to his glory; 
>^ he is a merciful God, and has been near to help in 
^* some times of o-reat extrem.itv." V/ith several such 
like expressions. 

On the 24th we had a meeting at the meeting- 
house; and n^^X. day were at the six Vv^eeks meeting 
at Bridge Town ; and after that I was at several other 
places, till the 10th of Sd month, when I left the 
island, and accompanied by many friends, went on 
board the packet-boat, and about two in the morning,^, 
we set sail for Antigua , and on the 12th in the after- 
noon, we came in sight of it, and next morning arrived 
in the bay. Our friend Y^^illiam Haige met me on the 
wharf, and from thence conducted me to his house, 
where I staid till the 15th, being the first day of the 
week, and then had a meeting in town, which vv^as 
pretty large and satisfactory, the blessed truth being 
in good dominion, and the people very sober. On the 
16th I went into the country to see our ancient friend 
Jonas Langford, being now above 80 years of age, ^nd 
without n^itural sight ; he met mxe at the door, in thg 

porch ^ 



fOO LIFE OF 1709 

porch, and, a& I took him by the hand, he turned his 
eyes upwards, and said, *^ Blessed be the Lord, who 
" gives unto the righteous the desire of his souL" 
And so, without any more words between us for some 
time, keeping me by the hand, we sat down together 
in the hall ; and, after some time in silence, we dis- 
coursed of such things, and affairs of truth as then 
occurred : and being openly entertained by him and 
his wife, there I remained till the fourth day follow- 
ing, being in the mean time visited by several friends. 

On the 18th and 22d I was at meetings at John's- 
Town, v/hich were in a good degree to satisfaftion. 
On the 24th I went to see General Park, then gover- 
nor in chief of the Caribbee Islands, who was very re- 
speftful, and free w^ith me on several heads. The 
packet boat being then in, and being free in my mind, 
I took my passage in her for Jamaica"; but tarrying 
till the 25th, we then set sail for Montserrat, where 
we arrived the next morning. We staid at Montser- 
rat till the 28th, then went to Nevis, where I was- 
kindly entertained at the house of John Horn, a mer- 
chant there, who, though not of our society, v/as very 
respectful. After dinner, we went to see some hot 
springs near the town, which are so hot, that we could' 
not hold our hands in the water, nor scarce put them 
m without scalding ; and the sand where the water 
issued, was scarce to be touched, it being so hot, and 
yet the water pleasant to drink when a little cooled. 
Next morning we vvent into the country, about eight 
miles off, to the house of Mary Wilson, an honest 
friend ; where, in a meeting of about eight or nine 
persons, the Lord was pleased to give us a comfort- 
able season of his love together, to our great refresh- 
xaaent. 

On the 30th we set sail for Christophers, anchored 
ill the road, and on the 1st of 4th month proceeded , 
for Jamaica, where we arrived safe on the 8th follow- 
kig. Soon after our arrival, came on board the ship 

our 



1709 THOMAS STORY. 201 

our friend John Ward, v/ith whom I went on shore, 
and lodged at his house that night ; the next morning 
I viewed the town and forts, where I saw great effe£ls 
of the dreadful earthquake still remaining, though the 
people were gradually filling up divers deep places 
with stones, in order to raise new buildings. 

The earthquake here was very dismal, and yet such 
are the wicked expressions, oaths, blasphemies, and 
profanations of the holy name of Almighty God 
among the inhabitants, of both sexes, that sober men,, 
who never heard them, would hardly believe, if it Vv^ere 
told them, that hum.an nature was capable of so great 
degeneracy ! T et I believe the day of God's mercy is 
not over to some among them. O that they might 
see it, in the remaining time of it, to their great re- 
demption ! 

This view finished, I went to see Charles Wager,. 
Rear Admiral of the Blue, of v/hom there have been 
accounts of his great atchievements in martial marine 
affairs. My business was only a civil visit. Ke re« 
ceived me courteously, being a person of a calm, se- 
date temper, and no way elevated. As he is a man 
of war, we discoursed on that subj e£): -, and as I am ^a 
man of peace, we conversed religiously, and not mar- 
tially •, he for the punishment of privateers-rnd pirates, 
as wolves, bears^ and tygers -, invaders and breakers of 
the peace, and robbers j but I v/as for saving the life, 
that poor sinners might hav% time to repent, and be 
saved. What passed between us, was with great^civi- 
lity and temper ; the meekness of Christianity being 
more apparent in his deportment, than any mateile! 
harshness. Having staid so long as I thought suited- 
our circumstances, on both sides, at that time, and re- 
ceived invitations from him to furtlier acquaintance, I 
returned on shore. 

On the 10th, 12th, and 13th I had meetings at dif- 
ferent places, in som.e persons houses, on the 15th at 
Spanish Town, on the 22d irad 24^th at Port Royaf 



202 LIFE OF 170^ 

and Kingston, and on the 26th had another meeting 
at Port Royal, which was much larger than before, 
and many things clearly opened ; and the people 
(though one of the rudest and most wicked places I 
know of in America) very sober, and attentive, and 
some of them pretty much reached ; leaving things to 
pr^ty general satisfatiion, to the honour of the Lord, 
the author of every good T/ord and work, I returned 
witli several friends to Kingston. 

On the 28th I went on board a ship from Port 
Royal, in order for my voyage to Pennsylvania, the 
Hext day we reached Port Morant ; where we put in 
for water, and the weather proving unfavourable, we 
Staid there till the 3d of 5th month, when we set sail 
towards the east end of Jamaica, in order for the wind- 
ward passage. On the 6th, at break of day, we were 
in sight of the westermost parts of Hispaniola ; and 
spied tv/o sail right a-head, which alarmed us, fearing 
they were the enemy's, privateers, but proved other- 
wise. On the 12th, in the evening, ,we turned the 
eastermost point of Cuba, and stood our course all 
that night, and the next evening came near certain 
visible sands, called the Hogsties •, and, being among 
several islands, shortened our' sail that night, and in 
the morninL>- found ourselves on the south side of 
Long-Island. Perceiving a sail to the windv/ard, 
v/hich came down upon Us, and stood the same way, 
v/e were a while in suspgnce what kind of vessel she 
waS|^ but, in a few hours, were convinced to our 
gre^t exercise and damage ; for, coming within gun 
slyt, we saw his French pendant, and soon after he 
fired one of his guns to summon us : our captain be- 
ing of fighting principles, and his men likewise, hoist- 
ed the Englioh ensign, and returned his salute, but no 
loss happened on either side. They quickly perceived 
how the matter stood v/i* h us, that \/e were not capa- 
ble of any great resistance, and therefore advanced 
nearer^ and the master of our ship soon yielded to her,. 

why 



1709 THOMAS STORY. 2©9 

%vho was but a^small sloop fitted out from Martinico* 
"VVe being, by God's permission, follen into their 
hands, the captain sent on board his Heutenant, a 
Di\ne, as he said, who speaking good English, told us 
not to fear, for we should fare no worse than he ; so 
that they were kind all along as we sailed to Port-a-Pee, 
on the north side of Hispaniola, where we arrived on 
the 17th, and came to an anchor. 

Whilst we were sailing, they greatly importuned us 
to discover v/hat we had but little of, viz. money. 
On the 18th the officer^ came on board; and having 
a little Latin among u/, we made^hift to understand 
one another, so as no body else knew what we said. 
Before they departed on shore, they sealed down the 
hatches, lest any of the goods should be embezzled, 
and so the admiral of France be deprived of his right. 
The captain having a jealousy that I had money, or- 
dered me to be searched, but found only my silver 
spoon, m.y v/atch being gone before. 

On the 19th we were sent for on shore by the offi- 
cers aforesaid, and very kindly treated by them ; but 
Jonathan Dickinson and I were under much exercise 
in spirit, not yet seeing the particular cause, which 
afterwards appeared to be this : It seems the laws of 
France require an oath of the owners and masters of 
vessels, in such cases, the better to discover the value 
of vessels and things ; which they administer by hold- 
ing up their hands, then imprecating God to their loss 
of their part in him in case of falsehood, but true an- 
swers to make to every question. The master, being 
not of our society, was sworn, and examined stri£Hy ; 
they next proposed it to Jonathan Dickinson, but he 
refused, which was a great surprize upon them^ and 
some of them began to be a Lttle heated. Then I told 
them in Latin, «^ That we were a people differing 
**^ from all Protestants in several points of religion, and 
** that we never swear, neither in judicature, nor con- 
^* versation ; that we had suffered great hardships n 

<« former 



^.04 LIFE OF 1700 

* 

*^ former times, in England, for refusing to swear ; 
^^ and many of us had died in prison for that cause ; 
^* that King William had passed an 2itl of parliament 
«^ in our favour in the case of oaths." 

They replied, " It was a difficult case : their law 
«^ being very express in the king's books." And look- 
ed into a printed book often on this occasion. My 
spirit being imder great exercise, whilst they were 
striving v/ith Jonathan Dickinson, who stood firm 
against swearing, at last I found ease and comfort in 
that holy, blessed, and over-ruling truth, whose testi- 
mony we were thus called to bear against such a 
power, and we in the state of prisoners. Soon after 
they took his testimony, without swearing, or any 
other asseveration, save a bare, sober relation, by pro- 
mise only to answer ti'uly. After they had begun their 
examination of him, the comfort of our blessed Lord, 
whose presence and shield v/as with us, so increased 
in my heart, that my spirit was broken in a considera- 
tion of his goodness and faithfulness to us •, and some 
tears running down as I sat by, one of them observed 
it ; and bein^ in a surprize, enquired the jeason by 
the interpreter; but I made them a sign Of silence, 
which they all took, and were still a short time, and 
then proceeded in their examination •, this being over, 
I told them, the cause of those tears was, " That 
'" though it had pleased God to permit us to fall into 
'» the hands of these men, yet perceiving, he had been 
«' pleased to inspire them with so much gentleness, 
<^ and favour towards us, m.y spirit was broken as they 
*^ observed, in humble thankfulness to the Lord, who 
<« was thus kind to us in a time so needful ; and for 
«^ their favour we were likewise grateful." This they 
heard with great attention, and bowed themselves 
when they understood it, with gravity, and a serene 
and gr;<ious aspect. 

On the 22d, in the afternoon, a Jesuit came to the 
inn where I was, with whom I had some discourse in 

Latin, 



1709 THOMAS STORY. 205 

Latin, in which, though I had heen long out of use 
of it, and his dialeft and mine much differing, we 
made a shift to understand one another pretty well. 
I having a Latin Bible and an English Concordance, 
quoted several passages from the Old and New Testa- 
ment ; '^ shewing Christ to be the true light that was 
'^ promised as such, as the objefl of faith in the first 
«^ place, to the Gentiles, and then as a sacrifice for 
^^ their sins : that though it was the same Christ offer- 
^^ ed to the jews, yet under another administration^ 
*^ viz. as born of the Virgin Mary, accordhig to God's 
<^ promises to them ; and that this is the true lights 
^^ which lighteth every man that cometh into the ivorld.^^ 
All v/hich he could not deny. 

After this, he began with their common notions 
about Peter, quoting Matt. xvi. 18. where Christ says, 
^^ Thou art Peter^ and upon this rock ivill I build my 
^^ churchy &c. that Peter being the head of the church, 
^* the Popes of Rome had succeeded him until this 
*^ day, and were in his place, Christ's vicars here on 
«^ earth, and ought to be regarded accordingly in all 
^« things." To this I replied, " It is true that our 
blessed Lord, taking occasion to ask his disciples, 
Whom do men say that I the Soft of Man am ? Some 
said one thing, and some another ; but Peter said. 
Thou art Christy the Son of the living God ; upon which 
Christ replied, SirnoHj son of Jona^ fiesh U7id blood hath 
not revealed this unto thee^ but the Spirit of my Father : 
Thou art Peter -^ i. e. a Rock, and upon this rock I will 
build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it. In all which I do not understand that 
Christ promised to build his church on Peter, but on 
the spirit, power, and Vv-isdom of the Father, which 
opened and revealed that great and necessary truth to 
Peter : for though his name signifies a stone, or rock 
outwardly, yet such a rock is too weak to bear so 
great a weight as the church of Christ ; but the power 
of the Father being Almighty, his Spirit all quicken- 



206 LIFE OF 1709 

ing, and Wisdom all sufficient, the gates of hell, that 
is, the v/isdom, counsel, and power of hell (for here 
he alludes to the kings, elders, and people of the Jews,^ 
who often held their politick and warlike councils in 
the gates pf their cities) shall not prevail ; but the 
council, wisdom, and power of God. And Christ 
himself being the wisdom, power, and word of God, 
the Elect and precious Stone, the Head of the Corner, 
and binding Stone of all the Building, the apOvStle Paul 
does accordingly ascribe to him the headship, only, 
and calls him expressly the foundation, viz. He is given 
to be head over all things to the church ; and another foun^ 
dation can no ma7i lay^ tha?i that ivhlch is already laid^ 
'n.vhich is Jesus Christ. 

<' But continued I, if it had been true that Peter 
had been that rock, head, and foundation of the 
church, as we see he is not, how did they prove that 
the Popes of Rome had succeeded him in that station ? 
and who was Peter's successor, when there were two 
Popes at one time, both pretending to be Peter's suc- 
cessors ?" This question I found was not grateful •, and 
consisting of two parts, he answered only to the latter, 
and that by another question, viz. " When King James 
and King William becam.e competitors about the crown 
of England, how did the people know which was in 
the right ?" To this I replied, " There v/as no pa- 
rallel ; for this was wholly an human affair, and men 
usually, in such cases, follow the di£lates of human 
understanding, consulting chiefly their own safety, and 
natural interest. But in matters of religion and divine 
things, it is quite otherwise ; for good and truly reli- 
gious men, following the example of Christ and his 
saints, sacrifice all to the cause of religion, though 
contrary to sense and human reasoning •, therein fol- 
lowing the revelation, dictates, and openings of the 
Holy Spirit ; which is never wanting to the true and 
faithful, as the head and foundation of the church of 
Christ •, and his successors, which are only they who 
follow Christ in a holy innocent life/' 

.All 



1709 THOMAS STORY. 207 

All this the good old man (for so I thought he was) 
heard with great patience, and v/ithout any shew o£ 
anger ; but made no reply to the matter, only saying. 
It was near mass time, and he must attend, and that 
we might have some further discourse another time ; 
but I saw him no more ; though I had several dis- 
courses with others, who had also a little Latin, and 
all ended peaceably, these things being generally new 
to them. In my discourse with the Jesuit, and fre- 
quently with others, when I brought scriptures home 
upon them, and against their sentiments, or for ours, 
they told me, ^* This Bible of your's is not truly ren- 
" dered from the original languages ; there are many 
" omissions and undue versions in it." I desired one 
of theirs to compare them ; but could not have one 
among them all : for though they said, that persons 
of any account among them might read the scrip- 
tures, being only prohibited to the ignorant and mean 
sort, yet none of them could say, they had any scrip- 
ture, but generally referred me to the father, viz. the 
Jesuit, except once, that one of them had a Nev/ Tes- 
tament in Latin, in which I could not observe any 
dijfference from mine. 

On the 23d came Colonel La wrens, who was go- 
vernor of the fort there ; he gave me an invitation to 
his house, about two miles ofF, which I accepted, and 
was very courteously entertained by him and all his 
family. The next day, being the first of the week, 
(as we v/ere told by several of their own people) the 
Jesuit made us, our principles, and deportment, the 
whole subjeft of his sermon : and said, " That we 
^^ were an innocent and religious people, diiTering iu 
^^ many points both of doftrine and practice, from all 
^^ other Protestants, and seemed to have a right faith 
" in Christ ; only we seemed too diffident concern- 
« ing the saints, our duty to them^ and the churches 
" pov/er, and the like. But in the end exhorted his 
^< people to keep firm in their own religion ; and as 

" these 



208 LIFE OF 1709 

^^ these people were thus cast among them, to shew 
*^ their Christianity and respeft to them." And so 
they generally did, more than could have been expe£l- 
ed. After this I was several days at the governor's, 
and had conversation with him on different subje£l:s, 
which he appeared to take well. On the 28th I went 
on board the vessel, and next day we set sail for Port 
Francois, where we arrived in a few days. The town 
is generally built of split cabbage-trees or palms •: it 
lies along the coast behind the cape ; has a dry situa- 
tion ; is of an oblong square ; the ends of the streets 
to the sea, and others running across after the manner 
of Philadelphia. There were several Jesuits there, 
but I had no discourse with any of them. The place 
is not healthy, by reason of their brackish water, which 
generally has a laxative operation upon the inhabit- 
ants ; and in a few days I was taken ill of a violent 
fever, which, in one night's time, caused a question in 
my mind whether I might survive it! But we find- 
ing out a widow, who was of Irish parents, she gave 
me the best entertainment she could at her house, and 
it pleased the Lord to restore me to my health very 
quickly : but not having any means to clear myself of 
the effefts of it in my blood, it was of ill consequence 
to me after this. Though we were not made prison- 
ers here, we did not find the inhabitants of this port 
so courteous as the former. We found some Protes- 
tants, but in secret, among them j and some who 
could speak a little English. One day, a Jesuit, in his 
pontificals, with bells, cross and such formalities, pass- 
ing along with many people -, one of our company ask- 
ing what they meant ? was answered, There was a 
man in the town very sick, and the father was going 
to administer God unto him ; (he meant the conse- 
crated bread they call the sacrament) and whilst the 
priest prayed within, the people prayed, or seemed to 
pray, in the street, kneeling. 

As 



]/r09 THOMAS STORY. 209 

As we had occasion to pass the streets, the inhabit- 
ants often viewed us with great seriousness, and sel- 
dom derided us. We staid in this port about forty- 
five days, and were in a great strait what to do ^ for 
it is rare to find any passage or correspondence to any 
other place, save old France or Martinico : so that we 
were forced to solicit a passage in the small vessel we* 
were taken in, where we had been already fully weary 
of so very unsuitable conversation ; and it was not 
without difficulty we obtained it for pay. We sailed 
from hence on the 17th of 7th month, and in the pas- 
sage met with great difficulties, they reckoning it to 
be only about two weeks, proceeded accordingly , but 
when we were far from all land, and much time spent^ 
we were becalmed for about ten days together *, and 
our fresh provisions being near spent, and no prospe£l 
of proceeding on our voyage, or of any relief, we came 
to allowance of water, which was a quart in twenty- 
four hours ; and this not being good at first, was now 
muddy and stinking. I was taken ill of a violent flux 
soon after I came on board y by which, and want of 
suitable accommodations, I was reduced to a very 
weak condition. Sometimes I lay in the hold, in a 
mixed company of rude, blaspheming wretches, where 
we could not sit upright, and close as a stove, in that 
hot country, which was no small aggravation of my 
illness. Besides, I was forced by my distemper to 
rise several times in the night, and sometimes in the 
rain, and go upon deck out of this stove ; at last I 
grew so weak as not to be able to do it, but lay upon 
tlie deck in the open air : my legs were swelled so big, 
that the skin would scarcely hold, with divers aggra- 
vating circumstances ^ which had been too hard for 
all my own strength, if I had not been upheld and 
supported by the never-failing arm of the Lord, who 
never left me wholly to myself in all my afHiciions,. 
and in whose blessed visitations my soul rejoiced in^ 
the remembrance of some of my nearest and dearest. 

S 2 friends >:. 



210 LIFE OF 176» 

i riends ; who by this time had long looked for us, and 
were ready to give us over for lost ; through the grace 
of God, I was fully resigned to his blessed will, in dy- 
' jng or suffering, in life or death. At length it pleased 
God to give us a fair wind, also a little to abate my 
distempers, and we fell in between Antigua and 
Montserrat, with the French island Guadaloupe right 
a-head ; and there we put in for fresh water, and other 
refreshments. On coming to an anchor, the governor 
of the island heard of us, and sent us word, that there 
was a flag of truce belonging to Antigua, which he 
expe£ted at Guadaloupe in a few days, and advised 
us to come on shore, and stay for the flag ; and so we 
did, being glad, and surprized at this unexpefted de- 
liverance. We staid about a week, and were much 
refreshed, the people being kind. When the flag- 
came, we made known our condition to the captain, 
who shewed us favour. 

On the 26tli of 8th month we set sail for Antigua, 
and arrived there on the 29th : I was cheared in my 
spirits to meet with some friends, and to be agilin 
among people of our own nation. I went to Jonas 
Langford's, where I was kindly and openly received, 
and nothing omitted in order to my recovery. 

* On the 3d of 2d month, 1714, taking leave of 
some of my most particular friends and acquaintance, 
under a suitable concern on all sides, 1 set sail from 
Philadelphia, and that night arrived at Nev/castle ; 
next day, being first of the week, was at a meeting 
there, where it pleased my great Lord and Master to 
favour me with his good presence, and the consolation 



* The reader will observe here a chasm of neat five years; of which 
time no account was found among the author's papers, except by a 
letter to his wife, wrote from Antigua, wherein he mentions his de- 
sign of getting a pas<'age to Barbadoes, and thence to return homej 
after this it is supposed he buried his wife, and was mobtly engaged in 
publick business till i f ^ ; when he found a concern to visit Barba- 
does. And where the journal conimence-? aijew. 

of 



1714 THOMAS STORY. ^1 

of it; which I received as a testimony and confirma- 
tion, that the Lord was pleased with tiiis undertakings 
the next morning we fell down to Elsenburgli, from 
thence to Lewis, where we staid some days ; and ou 
the 15th set sail for Barbadoes : the wind standing 
southerly, and about the Tropick of Cancer, becalm- 
ed, it was the 15th of Sd month before we saw the 
island of Barbadoes, and that evening landed at the 
bridge, our desired haven, where I met with a kind 
reception from my friends, and some others of the in- 
habitants. I had several meetings in t^'is town^ at the 
spring, and other places , and on the 29th we went 
with our friend Harrison to visit his mother, brother, 
and sister, the two women being under some convince- 
ment; and my spirit was much comforted in a sense 
of the love and visitation of God towards them, and 
my hearty desire and prayer to the Lord was, that they 
might embrace his merciful offers, whilst he was 
pleased to continue them ; of which I was not without 
hopes, considering how near they were to truth ; wait- 
ing at home in silence together for the Lord's teach- 
ings, and, in some measure, then sensible thereof. 

At the Thickets? the meeting being almost wholly 
lost, I went from house to house amon j them, ex- 
horting them to more diligence, and they promised 
amendment. After this I staid in the island till the 
24th of 7th month, visiting friends and meetings, 
when I returned to the bridge, and staid there till the 
17th of 8th month, which b^^ing the first day of the 
week, and about to take leave, the meeting was large, 
open, and free, and truth in dominion, to general sa- 
tisfaftion : and, as many of different persuasions had 
frequented the meetings during my abode there, so 
divers expressed their concern at my departure ^ and 
I parted with them all in peace and love -, leaving the 
end of all my labours among them to the Lord, for 
whose sake I was so long there. On the 20th, taking 
leave of friends, I embarked for London, and after as^ 

good 



212 , LIFE OF 17.14 

good and comfortable a passage as could •reasonably 
have been expefted, the time of the year considered, 
arrived there on the 6th of lOth month, and lodged at 
John Crouch's. 

The Lord having been with me, to comfort me, and 
bear up my mind, through divers exercises, arising 
from weakness of body, and the fatigues of my voy- 
age, through the great ocean, his goodness continued 
with me, and tendered m^y heart, after I arrived at this 
great city, bo h in my retirements, and also in meet- 
ings •, where I declined to appear in publick testimony^ 
as long as I could be still in peace, but suffered under 
the burthen of the word of truth, and a right concern 
in it, by reason of some forward spirits ; who having 
accustomed themselves to talk of the things of God, 
in their own power and wills, left me no room in some 
meetings to discharge my mind of those things in- 
cumbent upon me ; though friends, who had formerly 
known me, were very kind, and we were mutually 
comiforted one in another, both in conversations and 
meetings : the Lord's presence being with us in some 
meetings, to the honour of his own holy name, and 
our consolation. 

Now, as I returned into my native country, in the 
drawings of the love of God, and power of his holy 
commandment, in the simplicity of the blessed truth, 
I appeared as the Lord was pleased to make w^ay foi* 
me, being reconciled unto Cod, and to all men, and 
unengaged in their strifes and emulations ; which I 
found to be m^ny. On the first day of the week, in 
the meeting at Grace-church-Street, I prayed for the 
king, as my concern was at that season ; from which 
some made this re'mark, that I was no Jacobite, sup- 
posing me, as I may colle£i: from hence, to concern 
myself, as too many, even among our c vrn selves, un- 
wisely do, in the advancement or disAppointment of 
particular persons unto the thrones r.iid dignities of 
this world , which I never took to be my business, 

but 



V 



1714 THOMAS STORY. 21^ 

but to leave it to God, and pray for those he advances 
in the course of his providence, that they may rule in 
moral righteousness and truth, and we be protefled, 
relieved, and defended by them, against all those who 
would oppress or injure us, in things pertaining to 
this present world. 

On the 15th, accompanied by John Crouch, I went 
to Ruscomb, to visit William Penn and his family. 
He was under the effefts of an apopleclick fit, which 
had happened to him some time before ; for his me- 
mory was almost quite lost, and the use of his under- 
standing suspended ; so that he was not so conversa- 
ble as formerly ; and yet as near the truth, in the love 
of it, as before : v/hereln appeared the great mercy 
and favour of God, who looks not as man looks : for 
though to some this might look like judgment •, yet it 
will bear quite another interpretation, if it be consi- 
dered, how little time of rest he ever had from the 
importunities of the affairs of others, to the great hurt 
of his own, and suspension of all his enjoyments till 
this happened to him. 

When I went to the house, I thought myself strong 
enough to see him in that condition, but when I en- 
tered the room, and perceived the great defe£l of his 
expressions for want of memory, it greatly bowed my 
spirit, under the consideration of the uncertainty of all 
human qualifications; and what the finest of men are 
soon reduced to by a disorder of the organs of that 
body, with wtiich the soul is conne6i:ed and acls, du- 
ring this present mode of being ! Nevertheless, his 
mind was in an innocent state, as appeared by hfs very 
loving department to all that came near him. And 
that he had still a good sense of truth was plain, by 
some very clear sentences he spoke in the life and 
power of truth, in an evening meeting we had toge- 
ther there ; wherein we were greatly comforted : sa 
that I was ready to think, this was a sort of sequestra- 
tion of hirn from all the concerns of this life, which 

so 



214 LIFE OF 1715 

so much oppressed him. From hence I returned to 
London, where I staid till the 6th of first month, 
then went towards the north on account of my father ^ 
who hearing of my being in Britain, had writ earnestly 
for me to come to him, he being then about the eighty- 
fourth year of his age, had lost his sight, and ill of an 
asthma, and very desirous to speak with me before he 

f 'parted this life •, so I took meetings as they fell in 
y way, and was at Hertford, Leicester, Nottingham, 
and IVl ansfield, from whence I went to Balber Hall, to 
Sir John Rhodes's j where I was kindly received by 
him and his mother. Here I staid several days, and 
had good conversation with them, being very open- 
minded and courteous, and of a good understanding in 
the things of God. He was convinced when young, 
and held his integrity through many temptations, pre- 
ferring the simplicity of the truth, and the enjoyment 
of it, before all other things. 

On the 27th I was at Hansworth, Woodhouse, be- 
ing first day of the week, the meeting not large. 
From hence to Leeds, Kendal, and Carlisle, and to 
Jusiice Tov/n, to visit my father, who was glad of my 
arrival, and very kind. After being at several meet- 
ings in these parts, and staying some time with my 
father, I took leave of him in much tenderness •, and 
on the 24th of 2d month I went to Wigton, where 
lived some persons who oppose friends, and have been 
very disturbing in our meetings. Some of them came 
to the meeting at this time, and behaved with great vio- 
lence : they bad been disowned by the society for their 
misconduft, which makes them so outrageous. I was 
at several meetings after this, as Ailanby, Pardsay- 
Crag, Cockermouth, and many other places, till I 
came to Oxford -, where the scholars and others were 
very violent at this time, breaking the Vv^indows, doors, 
seats, &c and doing great damage to the Presbyterian 
meeting-house the same evening I arrived there ; and 
the next evening they used our meeting-house in the 

same 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 215 

same manner, breaking in by violence, and taking 
away all the forms and seats that were loose, likewise 
they took the doors ofF the hinges, and burnt them, 
v/ith part of the wainscot, in their bonfire : the room 
next the meeting-house they also abused and defaced ; 
so that the whole was greatly despoiled. Yet this did 
not cool their rage ; for they broke into the dwelling- 
house of our ancient friend Thomas Nichols's daugh- 
ter, then a widow, and did some damage. From 
thence they went to the Baptist mxceting-house, and 
gutted that, as their term is : and as they came up 
the street from that piece of service, I lodging at 
young Thomas Nichols's, we expected the same usage 
as his sister had met with, and therefore got for safety 
into the staircase •, and as they came up to the house 
they broke the windows, and so went on without do- 
ing us any further harm : I observed, that as Satan 
raged in them befoi*e they came up to the house, truth 
moved in our minds, and filled us with heavenly con- 
solation and life ; so that we were v/ithout fear of 
what they could do further. 

By the time all was over, it was about two in the 
morning ; and there came in several of the sober 
neighbours, who mentioned to us some of this mob's 
reasons for their violence, as they had found by dis- 
coursing v/ith some of them. They said, that some 
of the low party, being at a tavern in town, there 
drank healths, and confusions, and spoke of burning 
the late queen's pidlure, and Sacheverell's. And in 
revenge of this they assaulted the Presbyterian meet- 
ing-house. Their pretence for using us in the same 
manner was, because we voted for the low members 
of the present parliament. 

The next morning we went to see the ruins of our 
meeting-house, many scholars and people being there, 
I said pretty loud, so that they might all hear, " Can 
^^ these be the effefts of religion and learning ?" 
Young Thomas Nichols iikev/ise put them in mind of 

Sodom 



216 LIFE OF 1715 

Sodom and Gomorrah^ " and that this was the same 
*' evil spirit which wrought in that wicked genera^ 
<< tion," upon whom came destruction : " and that if 
** they continued in such evils^ the same just God 
/< might bring Hke condign punishment upon them," 
To which they made no reply, but that the mob had 
done it, and it was ill done : so would have excused 
themselves; but some others said, they themselves 
were that mob, and would be met with one day ; af- 
ter some time we returned to our friend's house, and 
the same day I left the city. 

This is one of the blind eyes of this poor nation ! 
one of the fountains of their religion and learning, 
from whence the whole land is poisoned. Can sweet 
and bitter waters issue from the same place ? Or can 
religion flow from hence to the nation, where the life 
of religion is so remote from these vain pretenders ^ 
What advantage have they received from learning, 
who are so destitute of the principles of civil belia- 
viour ? 

On the 31st of the 3d month I came to London, 
being about a week before the yearly meeting ; which 
in the main was much more comfortable, through the 
great mercy of God, than many expe£i:ed : for as the 
afhrmation, from, the beginning of it, had occasioned 
much disturbance in the church, some being for, and 
some against it, so these divisions had been very op- 
pressive to my spirit, as knowing nothing could hurt 
us more than that, or give Satan or evil men more ad- 
vantage against us : but though I never liked it, yet I 
ever kept true charity to those friends who were for it, 
as believing they saw no hurt in it, though I thought 
I did •, I laboured that we might regain, and keep a 
right temper one towards another •, and, as a further 
solicitation was talked of (the late aft being ready to 
expire) I advised several leading men on both sides, to 
proceed in one joint interest, as one people ; for though 
we could not all agree about the definition of an oath, 

or 



17 1 5 THOMAS STORY. i 1 1 

or in what relation the affirmation stood to an oath, 
yet we were as one man still, that an oath is not con- 
sistent with Christ s doftrine j and accordingly they 
did hoth solicit for a plain affirmation, without the sa- 
cred name , but that could not be obtained ; all that 
the parliament would do, was to perpetuate the for- 
mer, adding some clauses for the levying of tithes. 
When this came to be discoursed in the meeting, the 
minds of some on both sides were disturbed ; but the 
Lord was near, and, by his blessed wisdom ?.nd power, 
preserved us in u.nity, and things came to this good 
issue, that such as could take the affirmation, might 
have the benefit of it without censure of their brethren, 
and such as could not take it, should not be reproach- 
ed by them ; but that the meeting for sufferings should 
continue their care and solicitations, together with the 
dissatisfied, for further ease in that point, at a fit sea- 
son ; and with this conclusion both sides were easy. 
The meeting being thus well over, on the 17th of the 
d-th month, I went with some friends to Braintree, and 
from thence to Colchester, to the quarterly meeting, 
and was likewise at the yearly meeting here •, the Lord 
gave us a comfortable time, exalting his blessed truth 
and its living testimony, and things were open and 
clear. I went from hence to Norwich, and was at 
their quarterly and yearly meeting, which was large, 
especially the last day, many people attending. The 
more particular matters wherein I was concerned, be- 
ing about the kingdom of Christ, the kingdoms of men, 
and the kingdom of antichrist, with his priestcraft and 
fallacy •, which reached many understandings, and af- 
fefted the people as well as friends, and truth gained 
among them to our mutual comfort. 

On the 1st and 3d of the 5th month, I was at meet- 
ings in the country, and returned upon the 4th to Nor- 
wich, next day went by water to Yarmouth, expe6ling 
a vessel soon to sail for Holland, in which I intended 
to go 5 but the wind proving contrary, we appointed 

T a meeting 



218 LIFE OF 1715 

a meeting here^ and on the 7th returned to Norwich, 
and was at the meeting on a first day. On the lith 
I went back to Yarmouth, and staid till the 17th, when 
I embarked on board the vessel, and arrived at Rotter- 
dam on the 19th. I took up my lodging with my 
friend and old acquaintance, Robert Gerard, formerly 
of Aberdeen in Scotland. 

On the 20th, being the 4th day of the week, I was 
at their meeting, which is very small, there not being 
above four famihes, and not all under the profession 
of truth : but the Lord, who is not confined to num- 
ber, but opened the law and the prophets to the two 
disciples going to Emmaus, was pleased to visit us to- 
gether, tender our hearts, by the same word of his 
grace, and make them burn ^^ ithin us, to our solid 
consolation. 

On the 26th I set forward by Delft, Leyden, and 
Haarlem to Amsterdam, where the meeting, falling 
of course the next day after my arrival, was small, and 
in the fore part of it very heavy and dull, under the 
temptation of a sleepy spirit, which prevailed on seve- 
ral ^ there being rather a lukewarmness and declension 
in this city, than a going forward : but the Lord was 
pleased to make way for us througla this vail of dark- 
ness ; and the nieeting ended in some degree of life. 
Here Jacob Claus interpreted for me, as Archibald 
Hope had done at Rotterdam ; which being a thing I 
had not been acquainted with, was a little strange at 
iirst, but as I gained experience, it became more easy, 
and my spirit more at liberty in that exercise. The 
next day we returned to Haarlem, where we had an 
appointed meeting : for though they have formerly 
'had a settled meeting there, most of them are become 
so cold, that they have wholly dropped it, and some of 
them go am^ong the Mennists. There having been no- 
tice given, the meeting was pretty large, most of them 
Mennists ; things opened large and clear among them, 
{i:ii truth was in good dominion in the life and power 

of 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 219 

of it ; they v/ere generally very quiet, and some of 
them reached and tendered, and departed in a very so- 
lid condition from the place •, that night we lodged at 
Pieter Leendaars. 

On the 29th we went to the house of Simon Bevel, 
to have made him a visit, (he having married a Men- 
nist, was drawn aside with her, but coming to this 
meeting was reached and aftecled) he happened to be 
gone to Amsterdam ; however his wife received us 
courteously, and brought some of her good things to 
complete her civility; but we having a gre/.ter eye 
upon the Lord than thes?, and more towards her good 
than her entertainment, the Lord was pleased to draw 
us into a sweet silence \ and gave me a few words to 
her in .particular, which reached others present 5 and 
then John Padley prayed, and we had a very tender 
and comfortable season •, after which we departed in 
great love and peace, she inviting us thither again in 
our return that way, if it should please the Lord so to 
order it. Having finished this satisfailory visit, we 
returned to Amsterdam, and were at their first dav 
meeting ; which in the forenoon was pretty well filled 
with strangers, some supposed to be young princes o? 
nobles, by their garb and retinue : things opened clear 
and well concerning the way of truth, and I was in- 
terpreted by William Sewell ; the people were very 
quiet, and many of them seemed concerned, and in 
some measure reached by the truth. In the afternoon 
their meeting is usually more sele6l, but now there 
were more strangers than in common ; it was open 
and comfortable, the Lord being with us, to the praise 
of his holy name, who is worthy for ever. 

On the 2d of the 6th month, being accompanied by 
Pieter Leendaars as interpreter, we went to Hoorn, in 
North Holland, and from thence to Twisk, and lodged 
at the house of H. Grooteval, a friend ; next day we 
had two meetings there, which were open and well-, 
and several tendered and comforted- in the truth ; 

v.'hose 



220 LIFE OF 2715 

v/hose blessed power was over all. On the 4th we 
->vent back to Hoorn, to the house of J. W. Flash- 
bloom, a Mennist, but convinced of truth. Here we 
li id a meeting in the Mennist meeting-house, which 
was not large, but pretty open and well. That after- 
noon we went by waggon to Enkhuysen, where we 
lodged at an inn, and made a visit to one Martin 
Daniel, a baker, who is convinced of truth, but has 
not strength to profess it : he and his wife were very 
kind, and invited us to lodge there, but we declined 
this, lest we should be burdensome to them, only be- 
ing there at dinner ; I having something to say on that 
occasion, they were reached, and their hearts still 
more open ; we exhorted them to be noble, and take 
up the cross freely, and despise the shame; which 
now, as well as of old, attends the profession of the 
Lord Jesus, according to the present dispensation. 

On the 6th we set sail for Harlingen, in West- 
Friesland, where we arrived in the evening ; and next 
day, being first of the week, had two meetings in a 
room v/hich friends have for that purpose, being but 
two or three small families : several of the Collegian 
Mennists came thither; but I believe our doftrine, 
though sound and good according to holy scripture, 
did not please some of them ; though others were well 
satisfied, and several of them came to see us at our 
friend, the widow A. Joesten's house, where we lodg- 
ed : the Lord was with us, and all was well and com- 
fortable, several being touched with a sense of truth. 
Next morning early we departed in a draw boat, and 
went by the way of Franker, Leuwarden, and Donum, 
to Groningen, where we arrived that night, and lodged 
at an inn. The next morning we went towards Delf- 
zell, and from thence over the river, and up the shore 
of East-Friesland, to Embden, Where we found only 
one poor old widow, remaining under the profession, 
called Hester Jans ; after taking some refreshment at 
an inn, we went to visit her ; which she took well, and 

wa^ 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 221 

M^as rejoiced to see us : after that we walked through 
much of the city, but were all of us greatly loaden in 
our spirits^ in a sense of the power of darkness. Re- 
turning to our inn under this sense, it pleased the 
Lord to visit us together in a time of holy silence, and 
make us sensible of his divine love to a people there ^ 
in which our spirits were released from the other load, 
and became now freighted with a burthen of love, in 
order to a visitation of some of them : and accordingly 
next day we had a meeting at the widow's house, at 
which a considerable number were present, and gene- 
rally sober ; some of whom were well affe£led *, we 
had a comfortable time, the Lord being with us, and 
the principle and doflrrine of truth was clearly opened, 
in a good degree of life and loye^ and the people de- 
parted in a visible solidity, in a general v/ay, so that 
1 have hopes of the place, that the inhabitants will re- 
ceive truth, and entertain it better than heretofore ; 
for there were several friends here formerly, who be- 
ing greatly persecuted, some went away, and others 
died. But this city falling into a very sensible decay, 
(as persecuting cities and kingdoms do) and the burgh- 
ers relieving upon their fonner behaviour to friends^ 
began to be sensible, in some measure, of their error ^ 
and would now gladly receive any friends that would 
settle among them : and who knows but that If they 
continue humble, and in that good mind, the Lord 
may both send, and also raise many among them, to 
his own glory, and their great comfort in him. Being 
returned to our inn, we had a message from Hendrick 
(^wart, a considerable merchant in the city, and his 
wife, to invite us to dinner; we declined that, but 
gave them to expefl: a visit as we passed that way ; 
and we went accordingly, and v/ere very kindly enter-- 
tained. After which we departed the city, the people 
in the '-streets shewing no dislike, but rather civilitVj 
as we passed along. We came to Leere that night3 
and on the 11th vrent to Detran, A^pen^ and Olden-^^ 

T 2 burg,. 



222 LIFE OF irif 

burg. On the 12th we proceeded in an open waggon^ 
(they being so in this country, and not so commodious 
as in Holland, where the people are the most regular 
in many things, I ever yet observed.) We went by 
Delmenhorst, to the city of Breme, where we heard 
that the plague was at Altona, within a mile of Ham- 
burg, whither we were going ; and that it was shut 
up and guarded on all sides ; about six hundred sol- 
diers being appointed by the Hamburgers, with con- 
sent of the King of Denmark, to that service. This 
gave us some exercise •, for it looked, to human rea- 
son, a little dangerous to proceed towards a place so 
circumstanced, and by other towns and places^, where 
we must expe6l strift examination, besides our own 
personal danger of the sickness : but, after some in- 
ward retirement, our way was cleared up, through all 
difficulties, and we resolved to proceed on our journey 
and service. Here we spoke with Sarah Schreders, a 
friendly woman. She told us of some others who fa- 
voured the way of truth ; that there was a division 
among the people about religion-, and one of the 
preachers having come near the doctrine of truth, tell- 
ing them, that outward baptism, and bread and wine> 
without the substance, would not do, was silenced by 
a prevailing party, but had still many on his side : 
feeling some degree of openness in my mind to the 
inhabitants, I kept the place in my remembrance, in- 
tending that way en our return. 

We proceeded to Otterburg, and passing through 
some other places, came on the 14th to Hamburg, 
where we gained admittance, after being stri£tly exa- 
mined. Our friend Jacob Hagen received us kindly, 
but we could not have a meeting this day, because the 
people were generally at their worship, and none there 
of our society but himself, and but few inclinable that 
way : but the next day, being second of the week, we 
had a meeting at his house, and he being acquainted 
With most of the merchants, and persons of account, 

being 



ms THOMAS aTORY. n^ 

being respe£l:ed in the city ; and having given notice 
to such as he thought religiously inclined, there came 
several of considerable note, as to worldly circum- 
stances, some of whom appeared ratfier like persons 
of curiosity, and my spirit was much down, and un- 
der heaviness, till about a quarter of an hour had pass- 
ed, the truth then began to appear in my mind, and 
soon arose in me over their spirits, and then I had 
courage and strength •, things opened much to the in- 
ward appearance of the divine word, they were brought 
under in some degree •, and it was a good meeting : 
most of them took us kindly by the hands after the 
meeting was over, and passed away very solidly. One 
of them was Depelius, Chancellor and Counsellor of 
the King of Denmark. 

Remaining here till the next day afternoon^ Jacob 
Hagen related the following passage, viz. " In the 
year 1712, the Czar of Muscovy, being in the city of 
Fredrickstadt, in Holstein, about two days journey 
from hence, with 5000 soldiers, to assist the Danes 
against the Swedes ; after he had quartered his men^ 
enquired of one of the Burgomasters whether there 
were any of the people called Quakers there ? The 
said officer told him there were a few. 

" The Czar asked him if they had a meeting in that 
place ? He told him they had. Then the Czar bid 
the officer let the friends know, that if they would 
appoint their meeting that forenoon, being the first 
day, he would be at it. The officer replied, that 
there were thirty of his soldiers in the meeting places 
so that there could not be any meeting in it. When 
the Czar heard that, he was angry that they had put 
soldiers there, and sent an order by one of his own 
captains, that they should all be put out forthwith, 
and that notice should be given to the friends by the 
captain, that if they would appoint their meeting, he 
would come to it. Accordingly notice was given 
thereof to Jacob Hagen, then at Frederickstadt, and 

Philip 



224^ LIFE OF ' 1715 

Philip Defair, a publick friend, who lived there ; and 
the place being made ready, they had their meeting 
at the second hour afternoon ; to which the Czar 
came, and brought with him Prince MenzicofF, the 
General Dolgorucky, and several other of his Dukes, 
Genera's, and Secretaries of State, and other great 
men; and a great crowd following, he ordered the 
door to be shut, as soon as a competent number were' 
in to sit comfortably ; but many came to the windows, 
and about the house. After some time of silence, 
Philip Defair preached the doftrine of truth among 
thenij and all sat very quiet, but especially the Czar, 
who sat likewise very gravely all the time of silence 5 
and the others, being awed by his exam.ple and pre- 
sence, did so likewise ; but the Muscovite Lords an J 
Generals not understanding the language, and the Czar 
understanding it pretty well, interpreted to them what 
was declared with much seriousness j commending 
what he heard, saying, That whoever could live ac- 
cording to that doctrine would be happy. The meet- 
ing ending, Jacob Hagen was about to speak to the 
Czar ^ but a person, M^ho had farmed of friends the 
rest of the house, and when the soldiers came had 
shewed them the meeting-room, and so saved his own 
part clear ; fearing the consequence, if his proceeding- 
had appeared to the Czar, craftily stept to him, and. 
thanking him for freeing the place of the soldiers, re- 
quested that he might have leave to put a paper on the 
house door, to signify it was a place of worship, the 
Czar having ordered that all churches vshould be free 
from his soldiers. By this means our friends were 
prevented at that time from speaking to the Czar, who, 
whilst there, went to several other places of worship, 
but did not seem to be pleased with any but- our meet- 
ing. A friend after this presenting him with Robert 
Barclay's Catechism and Apology in High Dutch, he 
said, he would have them translated^ and printed in 
his own language/' 

On 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 22S 

On the third day after dinner, as we were sitting 
together, I felt my mind secretly reached, and we 
were all drawn into silence, and, after some time, to 
prayer 5 in which we were comforted. And this be- 
ing a little over, notice was given to Jacob Hagen, 
that there was an order come from the King of Den- 
mark to shut up the city of Hamburg, as Altona was^ 
he being informed that the plague was also among 
them. We being prepared by so good a season, were 
not surprized at it 5 but, having no further concerns 
here at this time^ we were advised, lest the place 
should be shut up, and we detained there, to depart 
that afternoon on our way ; which we did accordingly^ 
though some of us could have been free, and rather 
have staid longer. We left the city about five in the 
evening in an open waggon, the driver of which go- 
ing on slow, and it raining, we were much wet be- 
fore we reached an inn late in the evening, where we 
found but mean accommodations, some of us lying on 
straw, and covered with wet clothes. On the I7th 
early we set forward, but it raining still, we were 
very wet, and all of us had taken cold. The next day 
we arrived at Fredrickstadt, and v^ent to the house of 
our friend Gysmond Outerloo. On the 19th we had 
a meeting in the town, where came many of the inha- 
l^itants, and some of the best rank, in common accept- 
ation : things opened full and clear, and they were 
generally satisfied, and some tendered. 

On the first day following we had two meetings, 
which were large and open ; after one of them, I spoke 
thus to the people before they departed. *^ That since 
^^ there was such a difference between our English 
*^ language and theirs, that the same matters delivered 
" in the former, could not so quickly be delivered in 
" all respe£ls to the same advantages in the other, they 
^^ might not well apprehend every thing according ta 
«« the true intent of it ; and our testimony, by that 
" means^ niight suffer loss,^ an4 some might not have 

« the 



226 LIFE OF 1715 

<« the full benefit of it : therefore I told them, that if 
^^ any scruples arose, we were ready, at any conve- 
^^ nient time and place, to explain every thing, or re- 
*^ move any objeftion." But we heard of none any 
vv^here among them. 

On the 23d we went with several friends to the city 
of Tuning, about nine English miles from Frederick- 
stadt, to try if we could have a meeting ; and several 
were spoke to, but none Vv'ould entertain a meeting in 
their houses, being afraid of their priest (they are 
generally Lutherans). We went to the house of the 
chief Burgomaster, to have spoke to him about a 
meeting in the town, but he was not at home. 

I think it not improper here to mention what hap- 
pened to Christopher Meidel,* who had been concern- 
ed to visit this place about seven or eight years ago. 
Coming to the town, then under the command of the 
Swedes, " he preached the truth in the open streets ; 
and some were affefted with his innocency and doc- 
trine : but the magistrates sent soldiers to apprehend 
him, and take him out of the city, and the centinels 
were ordered not to suffer him to come in again •, so 
that he lay two nights without the gates, one in the 
fields, and another in a farmer's house : but though 
the soldiers could not suffer hira to go into the city, 
yet they were very respectful to him, and he spoke 
much of the way of truth among them j which seem- 
ed to take place with several. At length he sent to 
the governor of the city, who was also the chief mili- 
tary officer, desiring to speak with him ; and when he 
came to him, Christopher made known his case, de- 
siring he might have liberty to clear his mind to the 
people. The governor was respe£tfal, and told him, 
if he had applied to him first, before he had been put 
out of the city by the magistrate's order, he could have 

* He had sometimes been a preacher to the Danish chapel, at 
Wellclose near RatclifFe, London ; but being convinced, and faithful, 
hud received a part cf this ministry. 

answered 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 227 

answered his request •, but since they had done it, if 
he should now prote£l him, it would raise a difFerence, 
which he thought was not proper at that juncture of 
affairs there. After they had reasoned the case fully, 
the governor took a handful of money, which he would 
have presented to him, on account of his being a tra- 
veller and stranger, to bear his charges ; but Christo- 
pher refused it, v/ith acknowledgments of his kind of- 
fer. And so departed from the place." 

Upon our going away, we informed some of the 
people that we intended a meeting next day at Fred- 
rickstadt ; and the meeting was accordingly held. The 
magistrates of Tuning, and several of the chief of the 
inhabitants, made some amends for their remissness 
the day before at their own city ; for both the Burgo- 
masters came to the meeting, with many others, as 
also many of the inhabitants of Fredrickstadt, and 
places adjacent, with several teachers of different so- 
cieties, and were generally sober ^ the blessed truth 
reigned over all, to his own glory *, and I believe many 
were touched wath a sense of the virtue of it, and 
their understandings in some degree opened. The 
principal matter delivered was " concerning the law 
written in the heart ; the light of the Gentiles, and 
the universality of it •, the necessity of faith in that 
light, and advantages arising thereby ; that though 
this law of the spirit of life come by Jesus Christ, 
makes free from the law of sin and death, where it is 
truly opened and revealed ; yet this being compared 
to a book in the hand of the angel, there is ftone in hea- 
vefiy or earthy or under the earthy can open ity but the 
Lion of the tribe of Judahy luhich is the Lord Jesus 
Christy who came of that royal tribe \ and therefore it 
is in vain to depend upon the learned, who cannot 
open it, because it is sealed *, or the unlearned, because 
tliey are so ; nor upon the princes or potentates of 
this world, who also are unable, but upon the Lord 
alone. For as none knows the things of a many hut the 

spirit 



S28 LIFE 6f 1715 

jpirk of a man that is in him ; so no man knows the 
things of God^ but by the spirit of God ,• a?id the spirit 
ysearcheth all things y even the deep things of God : and, as 
the vail was over the heart of the Jew, whilst the law 
was read unto him, and he in hearing the law, is still 
ignorant of the spirit ; even so the Gentiles, though 
the law is written in them, it is even in their hearts j 
and though they read the Holy Scriptures, which tes- 
tify of the true and living God, and also of his Son 
Jesus Christ, and also hear the things of God declared, 
by the hearing of the outward ear j yet so long as the 
law is sealed up in the heart, they neither understand 
the Scriptures, which are some of the things of God, 
nor what is spoke unto them, though in the wisdom 
and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I exhorted 
them therefore, to believe in the Son of God, the 
light of the Gentiles, who once had appeared to the 
Jews in that holy body, and fulfilled the will of the 
Father therein, is also come in spirit according to his 
promise \ by whom all are taught that believe, and 
have a divine understanding by him : but the wise and 
learned in this world, by all their wisdom know not 
God ; but one giving one opinion, and another giving 
another, concerning the mysteries in the Holy Scrip- 
tures, they have led those that followed them into great 
confusion ; and being departed from the spirit of the 
Lord Jesus, the Prince of Righteousness and Peace, 
they are gone into wars and destruction, making out- 
ward as well as inward desolation ; in which they have 
proceeded to such a degree, that professed Christians 
have commixed the blood of one another with the 
blood of horses and cattle in the open fields." O 
great abomination before the Lord ! 

These, and many more close things, were delivered 
among them in the authority of the living truth : and 
I heard of none but one priest that was dissatisfied, 
who thought I bore too hard upon the learned, and 
left them too little share in the knowledge of the 

things 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 229 

things of God^ wherein he mistook me ^ for though 
their learning without the spirit doth not qualify them 
to teach the things of God, they are not unqualified 
only by having it ; but, as subservient to truth, it may 
be, and is really, useful. 

On the 25th we were at their monthly meeting at 
Fredrickstadt, w^hich was altogether of friends, who, 
though few in number, the Lord was near, and we 
were tendered and comforted together in his holy 
love : which alone edifies the whole body, which is 
one in all lands. After this we \risited the widows 
and fatherless among friends in the town, there being 
seven widows, and one with seven small children, 
their husbands having died in a great sickness some 
time before ; we staid several days longer, and had 
meetings to good satisfaction. There was likewise a 
marriage of two friends, to v/nich came a great num- 
ber of people, notice having been given of it largely 
beforehand. The Lord was pleased to favour us with 
his presence, and open things suitable to the occasion. 

On the 31st we set forward from hence, accompa- 
nied by miost of the friends, and some others, and 
parted with them near the river in much love, where- 
in we had been drawn to visit them. 

At the town of Mildorp, in our way, where we 
tarried to refresh ourselves, I, with Pieter Leendaars, 
went into a place of worship belonging to the Luthe- 
rans, being open, vvdiere we observed several pictui^s 
and images (as they say) of Christ, in several condi- 
tions, as, on the cross, risen again, &:c. and one of a 
golden colour all over. Here were painted and wooden 
Christs, in statuary and imagery, painted heaven, and 
painted hell, painted saints> and this amo!ig profes- 
sors of Christ, pretending reformation from the church, 
which is condemned for idolatry ; and all is ^a tlv con- 
demned by the Holy Scriptures, and by the pracliee 
of the saints in all ages. I asked our landlord, " why 
*^ they had so many images of Christ in their churches 

U ^^and 



230 LIFE ot 1715 

<^ and houses ?" He answered, " It is to put us in 
mind of Christ." 1 replied, " It seems you do not 
love Christ so well as you should, since you want so 
many outward mementos of his outward appearance; 
but the primitives had the mind and spirit of Christ ; 
they bore in their own bodies the dying of the Lord, 
'<ind wore his cress in their hearts ; by which they 
were crucified to the world, and the world unto them, 
with all its show and vain glory : and this cross is that 
living virtue and life of Christ appearing in men's 
hearts novv^, as well as in those days ; working the 
same effects in all who believe, follow, and obey it, 
being the saving grace and light of Christ unto all 
people.'* This seemed strange to him, as appeared 
by his countenance •, yet, I believe, it answered his 
conscience, for he made no reply ; I felt the love of 
truth to him, and the people there, but nothing for a 
meeting at that time. We proceeded on our journey, 
and came on the 2d of 7th month to Breme, where 
w^e had been before, and were kindly received ; but I 
having taken cold, and lying between two feather beds 
(their way of lodging) an intermitting fever, to which 
1 had of late been subjeft, returned upon me, and I 
svv'eat exceedingly ; which much imipaired my health 
and strength. In the morning we spoke with Sarah 
Schreders, and found things were at a low ebb among 
them relating to truth, hardly any of them having 
courage to entertain a meeting, fearing the magistrates 
and priestSj there being both Lutherans and Calvin- 
ists. However, we v/ent to some of their, houses, 
and more of them being together, they took courage, 
and consented to a meeting next day, which was held 
accordingly in an apartment : there came more than 
we expedled, and the Lord was pleased to be with us, 
to our help and comfort ; but so cowardly were most 
6f them, that as my voice began to be raised, so as; to 
be heard further than the room or house, they could 
hardly sit for fearj which both hindered themselves 

much, 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 231 

much, of what otherwise they might have received,, 
and also made my exercise the greater : yet they staid 
the time of the meeting, and several of them v/ere 
broken and tendered ; and generally very loving when 
we parted with them after the meeting. Before we 
went from the house, we had a message from^ one 
Pieter Frederick Do try, who desired to see us at his 
house ', which we also had been desirous of, but had 
heard he was under exercise of mind, and so retired", 
that he did not care to converse with any body. When 
we w^ere going in, he received us at the entrance of 
the door very respeclfiilly, and took us into a room ; 
where, being placed, we were silent awhile ; and 
some things opening in my mind suiting his condition, 
I spoke them, wherewith he v/as well satisfied : after 
I had done, he spoke a few words, by v»'hich I per- 
ceived he was in a good degree illuminated by the di- 
vine truth •, and, in a sense of a fresh spring of leva 
and life at that time in my soul, I was much broken, 
which also reached him ; and, after 30m e time in that 
condition, we v/ere bovv^ed in prayer, where I found 
my spirit m.uch m.ore at liberty than in the meeting, 
and the Lord gave us a divine season of his love, and 
a visitation thereof together at that time. When this 
was over, we fell into some conversation ; v/herein he- 
was very open and free, and informed us, that he had 
in his first concerns in the v/orld followed mierchan- 
dize ; wherein he had gained well : but a desire en- 
tering his mind to be helpful to mankind in a bettqr 
concern, he went to the college, and studied about 
five years ;• when, finding himself sufficiently quali- 
fied, as he thought, for the work he aimed at, which 
w^as to be a teacher among the Calvinists, he took 
that fun£i:ion upon him accordingly, and had been very 
acceptable among that people there : but it pleased 
God to open to him the emptiness of the priests, and 
all outside shews and formialities in religion, he had 
accordingly published his sentiments openly, in his 

sermons. 



232 LIFE OF 1715 

sermons, especially as to the insufficiency of human 
learning, without the spirit of Christ in a ministry j 
and that such a ministry could never profit the peo- 
ple, but greatly hurt them ; he said much to this pur- 
pose ; and added, that he expected very soon to be 
cast out from am.ong them., for this and other doc- 
trines he had preached, contrary both to their princi- 
ples and praftices ; but being clear in his understand- 
ing, and having peace from the Lord in w^hat he had 
done, he was resolved, by the grace of God, to main- 
tain his do£lrine against them, let them do what they 
v/ould. This was acceptable to us, and he was thank- 
ful to the Lord for our visit •, which, he said, was a 
strength and confirmation to him. He mentioned 
what is said of Christ during his personal appearance, 
^' That many believed in him, but durst not own him 
^^ for fear of the Jews, and being cast out of the syna- 
<^ gogue :" which he knew, at that time, he said, was 
tl.e state of a great many in that city, who were con- 
vinced of the way of truth, but were not yet able to 
confess it in an open manner 5 but was in hopes the 
Lovd would give them strength in time to ov/n him 
freely : and this was also our apprehension of that 
people. 

At our parting he embraced us vrith mucli afTecHon^ 
wishing us a prosperous journey, and desiring we 
miglit remember one another in the Lord. We were 
told by some friendly people, that this young man, 
being more spiritual in his doctrine than any of all 
the rest in town, was mxuch admired and followed by 
the people, which raised the emulation and envy of 
the priests, and they watched occasion against him ; 
but being of a holy life, and much pressing that hi his 
ministry, they could not find any that way, till he set 
forth the necessty of inspiration, and the spirit of 
Christ in a gospel ministry ; and that - all who were 
made ministers only by men, without the power of 
Christ (which alone can make a minlrier, and that 

without 



L 



17 1^ THOMAS STORY. 233 

without an^ help, power, or authority from man) were 
only intruders, and pretenders, and no true ministers^ 
nor were the ministers of Christ to teach for hire, 
but freely. This was wliat they had now against him, 
and had him at this time ufider dealing, having admo- 
nished him twice, and the third time at hand, in order 
to cast him oft, and silence him. 

Thus it appears, though he had gone to the coHege 
with intent to qualify himself, being now better in- 
formed, he had leaned on the Lord for- strength and 
wisdom, and not upon his learning, in which he v/ ?s 
not inferior to them. 

We heard also of some others, in other places, cast 
off for the same reasons : so that the Lord is at work 
in m^any hearts against antichrist and his ministers in • 
several parts of the w^orld \ and that day drav/ing near^ 
wherein alas^ alas ! with Vvringing of hands, must be 
the condition and cry of all the broken merchcjits or 
Babel, for their ware will sell no longer, because there 
is wine and mxilk, yea, all dahities and delicate things, 
to be had freely at the table of the Lord^ in his holy 
city, without money and without price : For the spirit 
and bride sax y Come; and ke that hear eth saith^ Come; 
and <ivhosoever ^ill come^ may eome^ and drink of the 
water of life freely. 

Soon after this visit we left the city, and went by 
\yay of Oldenburg to Leer i here we spoke with a re-^ 
ligiou$ person, who had formerly been a teacher among 
the Baptists in that place, and very acceptable to them, 
being of a good conversation y but through an inward 
eonviciion, that he had taken upon him Vv' hat the Lord 
had not called him to, he left it off, and lived retired, 
^nd not in communion with any •, but loving all that 
were honest and 3piritually minded. 

Desiring to have a meeting here, this man went 
with us to have spoke with the Baptist teacher in the 
tov/n, who being absent, we went to the house of one 
of the elders^ by v/hom we understood we could not 

U2 have 



234 LIFE OF 1715 

have a meeting In their meeting-house, as some of our 
friends had the year before : for a Calvinist miinister 
had come from Embden, since we passed that way, 
and preached that the wars, and other plagues were 
in the countries, because of the tolerating so many bad 
se£ls of religion (smiting more especially at them and 
us) and they themselves having liberty only by conni- 
vance, the meeting our friends had before, occasioned 
their liberty to be drawn into question. And, com- 
plaint being made against them, the matter was de- 
pending in the court, and they knew not how it would 
ibsue ; whether they should not be banished the town 
on that account, for none have toleration there, by the 
>^mperor's ordrr, but Papists, Lutherans, and Calvin- 
i-;ts. Upon this I told them, " We were not come 
tliere to add to their sufferings ; but were sorry it 
should happen so on that occasion, v/hich was not in- 
tended for their hurt^ but the good of all ;" and I took 
this opportunity to inform them, " how we in Britain, 
and elsevrhere, professing truth, had been persecuted 
i lom the beginning : some by banishment from our 
native country -, others had suffered long and hard im- 
prisonments, even unto death, in dirty and stinking 
dungeons ; some, spoiling of goods, and loss of lands, 
with cruel whippings, derisions and miockings ; some 
had also been hanged, and thrown into pits, for the 
testimony of Jesus, which we were now preaching in 
these countries. But the Lord was with us in all this, 
und was our support and comforter, making way for 
lis; so that VvC have now as much liberty as any ot^iers. 
1 told them also^ that the Lord had visited a people iii 
France ; but they being yet weak, and flying the cross, 
left their native country, and fell short of that testi- 
mony given them to bear ; but the Lord being still at 
work among them, they would at length stand as we 
had done, and come up in the same thing, though in 
another name (for the v/orld being ignorant of the 
V/crk of God, giv^ names- a^ they lUt^ and all in con- 
tempt £ud derision}." 

I also 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 235 

I also observed, ^^ that there were ipany here in 
Germany, and the countries about, convinced in their 
hearts of the same truth and divine principle of light ; 
who being yet weak, and fearing persecution, were not 
wiUing openly to own it ; which migh"^ be to their ovv'U 
ruin : for Christ, who is the light of the world, said, 
He that cofifcsseth me before ine?i^ him ivill I also confess 
before my Fiather^ and the holy angels ; hut he that denleth 
me before inen^ him will I also deny hfore my Father y and 
the holy angels. ^^ 

I proceeded to say more on the subje£V, the man 
and his wife, with several of their children, who were 
grown up to young men and women, being present, 
and were reached and solid ; so Xsx^ we had a com- 
fortable time among them. After having some con- 
versation with others, who appeared to be well dis- 
posed, we departed, and that evening came to Emb- 
den. 

Soon after our arrival, ' we went to see our ancient 
friend Esther Jans, and the next day had a meeting 
in a large granary, and the day after another in the 
same place ^ both which were in a good degree to sa- 
tisfaction, and a pretty large number present. After 
this, we made a visit to Hendrick Zwart, the mer« 
chant who invited us to his house, as we passed that 
way to Frederickstadt. He was very open and free 
wath us, and we found him ready to ov/n the truth in 
all things v/e opened to him, which v/ere many. 

On the 9th we departed from this city for "West- 
Friesland, and came in the evening to Groningen, 
where we had three meetings, to which came a pretty 
many Mennists : the Lord was pleased to be with us ; 
and many things concerning the light and spirit of 
Christ, and the word of God, were opened to them, 
I think, to general satisfadion, though against the 
doftrine held by many of them with regard to the di- 
vinity of Christ, vv^hich was fully proved. There was 
a Lutheran at all the meetings, a Vi^%-^^ some account 

in 



236 LIFE OF 17 1| 

In the city, who v/as reached, and tender in the last 
meeting. Another person, ^^n apothecary of the to\yn, 
was also at the meeting, and well satisfied, inylting us 
to his house; where. he confessed freely, that water 
baptism coulo not be that commanded, Matt, xxviii. 
19. but praclised for soime time, in some places, in 
condescension to tlip weakness of the people, and 
upon its first bottom in John's time, as was circum- 
cision, and other legal rites. 

In the afternoon we departed the city, in a draw- 
boat, and arrived aboqt ten at night at Dpckum, \^^h|^re 
We had a mieeting next morning in the Baptist meet- 
ing-house. We went from hence to Holfert near the 
sea-coast, where we prevailed with the Mennii>ts to 
have a meeting in tlieir house, which was large, and 
more open than the other j but after the meeting was 
ended, one of them, as is usual in their own meet- 
ings, read a verse of the 75th Psalm, and they went 
to singing before we got out ^ I found myself easy to 
stay till they had done, for there was soon something 
in my mind to say to them on that occasion. And li- 
berty being granted, at tlie conclusion, I spoke to this 
effea : 

** That I had once been am.ongst a people yvho 
used to sing psalms, and it \^as a custom among many 
still ; but I desired them to consider the foundation of 
their singing, whether it was any part of the worship 
of God, or that he required it of them as such : and 
also, whether they all sung their own conditions : for 
things might be true in the Psalmist, which were not 
so in them ; as for instance, a high-minded proud 
man's singing, that he behaves himself as a weaned 
child, 'n silence and rest, is not true ; nor can any 
sing in that state. The apostle Paul says, I will pray 
Huith the spirit^ and with the under standifig also. And 
sing also in like manner •, and speaks of making me- 
lody in the heart to the Lord in hymns and spiritual 
songs f but noting of pinging other rnQvH^ psalms 
\vithgut the spirit.-" 

I said 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 257 

I said likewise, ^^ that I had observed in these coun- 
tries, among such as think themselves reformed, much 
of outward shew, as images, piftures, and also high 
and lofty instruments of musick, which had not been 
duly considered in their reformation." 

This last some seemed not to relish so well as the 
former part, but w^e had the countenance and appro- 
bation of some of their teachers ; and parted with them 
in friendship. From hence we went to Drachten, 
where we had a meeting with the Mennists, which 
was large •, the Lord was kind to us, and advanced hi§. 
blessed truth over all, in the wisdom and power of it ; 
and many things w^ere opened and cleared to them to 
a general satisfa£lion. After the meeting was over, 
some of their preachers shewed us kindness, declaring 
their unity with our doctrine. And one of them said^ 
^ I hope we shall all one day meet in the kingdom of 
^^ heaven !" and so we parted in peace and love. This 
is as hopeful a meeting as any I have yet seen among 
them. 

It was with difficulty I proceeded on my journey, 
on account of pain and weakness of body, my natural 
spirits being much exhausted by a fever i yet the Lord 
was good, and gave me strength in a large exercise in 
another meeting wiih the Pvlennists at Goredyke, and 
the truth was over all, to the satlsfaftion of both the 
teachers and hearers. After this we had a meeting in 
the Mennists meeting-house at tieerveen, vv^hich was 
not large, but open and fresh ^ and 'many things of 
great consequence v/ere made plain beyond expe£):a- 
tion, which made iiie look a little at the people, they 
not seeming, by outv/ard appearance, like such 3.s 
might have a capacity to take what they heard •, but 
what opened was declared. In the time of the meet- 
ing came in a person, who, by his garb and behaviour, 
looked like a gentleman (as such are usually called 
among themselves) and he was very modest and seri- 
ou% After the meeting was past/ and we retired to 

our 



2SS LIFE OF 1715 

our inn, our host informed us, that he was in an 
outer room, where several persons of more than com- 
mon note had placed themselves to hear us ; our host 
invited them in, but they decHned it, because they 
supposed it might be some surprize upon the poor 
people, and make some disorder in the meeting, 
which was already settled and quiet. This was civil, 
if that was their true reason ; which I have no cause 
to doubt. 

One point opened in the meeting was to this pur- 
pose ; viz. " When our blessed Lord, in the days of 
his flesh, on a certain time was preaching to the Jews, 
he said, Except ye eat the Jlesh^ and drink the blood of the 
Son of Alan^ ye have no life in yon. Again, He that 
eateth my fiesh^ and drinketh my bloody the same diuelleth 
in me^ a7id I in himJ^ This do£lrine offending the 
multitude, they said, ^^ How can this be P How can 
this 7nan give us his flesh to eaty and his blood to drink ? 
This is a hard sayings who can receive (or bear) it ? and 
from that lime they went backy and followed him no more* 
And so great was the mystery of this saying, that the 
apostles seemed (at least some of them) to be stagger- 
ed at it ; which occasioned the Lord to say to them. 
Will ye also leave me P But Peter said, Whither shall 
we go P thou hast the words of eternal life. Signifying, 
that he and the rest had tasted of the divine virtue that 
accompanied his do£lrine to such as believed. Agree- 
able to v/hat is said by Christ, lily wordsj they are spi^ 
ritj and they are 'life. The meaning therefore of these 
expressions, Except ye eat the fleshy a?id drink the blood 
of the Son of Man^ ye have no life in you ; is, that the 
spirit only quickens ^ the ftsh projiteth notht?ig. 

" Which is as if he had said, If ye would eat my 
flesh, and drink my blood in your carnal sense, and as 
ye literally take it, that eating and drinking of my flesh 
and blood would profit you nothing ; but the substance 
is my .Spirit, Vv^hich makes alive, and also strengthen- 
cth and aourisheth all who partake of it. Now, there 

are 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 239 

are certain people, who suppose and believe, that as 
soon as their priests have uttered certain words of con- 
secration, as they call them, over a piece of bread, or 
wafer, or cup of wine, that this bread is transubstan- 
tiated into the very body of Christ, even the same that 
was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem about 
seventeen hundred years ago, and that cup into the 
same blood that was then shed. Now, supposing this 
was really true, as it is plain to common sense it is 
not 5 yet this eating and drinking this flesh and blood 
would profit them nothing : therefore it is great pity 
that so much bloodshed and cruel destru£xion should 
have been made, under pretence of that, w^iich, in 
comparison of his quickening Spirit, profiteth nothing* 
But this blood must be reckoned for, and the day 
hastens." 

Though I was thus plain in the open meeting, and 
it was interpreted unto them, I heard of no dislike or 
objection in any. 

A remarkable thing was here related to us, which I 
thought worth notice, viz. one Taiken Corstf^n, a 
Mennist, who lives at a town called Mackom in Fries- 
land, told us, " that some years ago, our friend Sarah 
Collier, being in these parts, desired a meeting w4th 
them in the meeting-house, which they refused her ; 
but he himself had a secret desire of a meeting, and 
gave her the liberty of his house, where a meeting 
was held accordingly, to good satisfaction. After th-e 
meeting, Sarah had a desire to make his wife a visit, 
who then lay ill of an issue of blood, which had been 
upon her for about twelve or thirteen years. Being 
conduced into her chamber, she was concerned to 
pray by her, for her help and deliverance from that 
' malady, and great exercise of it ; and to his admira- 
tion, and also his wife's, and all who had opportunity 
to observe it, his wife recovered presently upon it, and 
has been well ever since." 



^40 LIFE OF 1715 

He earnestly desired we would come to that town, 
promising he would let us have a meeting in his house. 

After this we had meetuigs among the Mennists at 
several other places, as Jever, Oudeboone, Grow, and 
-Lewarden ; meeting with a kind reception^ and tokens 
of Approbation, both from the teachers and hearers : 
at Grow, H. Gosses, the preacher, came to us after 
the meeting, and taking me by the hand, he embraced 
me, expressing much satisfaftion before the people, 
and received us to his house gladly: we found his 
vwife also in the same mind with him, open hearted 
'and kind. 

At Lev/arden the meeting was lari^^er than we ex- 
pefted, and very still j many things were opened to 
them in the wisdom and power of truth, especially 
" concerning the fall of the first Adam, with his pos- 
terityj the temptations and viftory of the second Adam, 
-and the overcoming and salvation of all who believe 
and obey him, but the final loss of all who disbelieve 
and disobey him ; for he is the same Word who was 
in the beginning, and in whom was life, * and that 
life the light of men ; and, by whom that prohibition 
"Came, f Thou shalt fiot eat ; for in the day thou eat est ^ 
thou shalt surely die. And eating, they died unto that 
life, and became blind also unto that light, and so fell 
from God, who is that light : therefore the posterity 
of the fallen man must again believe in the same word, 
Jight, and life, and also obey and follow him ; or else 
he remaineth in death and condemnation : and so de- 
parting this life (having a day of visitation by this light, 
avhich is the true light, which lighteth every man that 
Cometh into the world, and that once was made flesh, 
and dwelt among them) are concluded under death 
and darkness for ever : for he said to the Jews, He that 
helieveth noty is condemntd already : that is, whosoever 

* John i. 4. f Gen. il. 17. 

hath 



17 1 5 THOMAS STORY. 241 

hath sinned, as the first Adam did, thcugh not in the 
same thing, is under condemnation and death ; but 
true faith coming by the word of Hfe in him who hath 
it, and justifying the sinner from his sins, maketh him 
holy, just, and true ; for this faith purifies the heart, 
works by love, and overcomes the world : then such 
are free, and live to God, and no more to sin : then 
they keep that great saying of Christ, As I have kept 
my Father^ s commandments^ and abide in his love^ even 
so do ye keep jny commandjnents ^ that ye may abide in my 
love ; and then. He that hath the Son^ hath the Father 
also ; a?id he that hath the Son^ he hath life indeed^ even 
life eternair 

The meeting beinp; ended, the countenances of the 
people were open and free, and Vv^opke Clauses, a 
ruling elder in the congregation, kindly embraced us, 
and invited us to his house \ but intending to depart 
very soon in the boat, there was not time for it. We 
got well to Harlingen that night, to the house of A. 
Joesten, a friend, and the next day had a meeting, 
which was small, and not very open 5 several of the 
people called Collegians were there \ some necessary . 
truths v/ere clearly opened, especially relating to the 
tiivinity of Christ (which they commonly deny) as also 
his baptism with the Holy Spirit. We had two meet- 
ings after this more open, held in a room that friends 
have here ; for they hold a meeting, though few in 
number ; truth seemed to gain upon them, so that we 
heard of no obje£lion made by any. We departed 
hence on the 22d, and cam.e to Worcum, a town on 
the coast, where the Mennist teacher allowed of our 
having a meeting in their house ; most of the heads of 
them were there, and very sober, hearing attentively- 
several things of moment opened to them ; one of 
which was, ^^ That it is not our embracing true prin- 
ciples and notions doclrinally, and so sitting down 
under these, and an imitation of good and godly men, 
that will bring us to heaven, unless we be also in the 

X same 



242 LIFE OF 1715 

same life and virtue in which they were ; nor can any 
inherit the kingdom of heaven, unless they be in the 
nature of heaven *, which cannot be but by regenera- 
tion by the word of God ; the same that was made 
iiesh, and now appears a quickening Spirit." This 
they seemed to receive well, though their meeting was 
not very open, as to life, but laborious, yet solid, and 
ended well in free and open prayer. After the meet- 
ing, we visited the woman who was healed, as before- 
mentioned •, and she, with two or three more who 
came to the house, are tender, and under convince- 
gnent. After a short prayer M^th them, we exhorted 
them to meet together, and wait upon the Lord by 
themselves in silence. 

This afternoon we passed along the coast to Hinde- 
lopen, vrhere arriving before night, we procured a 
meeting with the Mennists (that sort called Colle- 
gians) in their meeting-house •, v/hich began about the 
sixth hour. It was pretty large considering the time, 
and but a small town, most of their chief people were 
there, and also one of the!r preachers. This was the 
most open meeting we had on that coast •, many things 
of great v/eight were made plain and clear to the un- 
derstandings of several ; one person expressed his sa- 
tisfa£lion, though the divinity of Christ was fully set 
forth, and proved according to scripture : shewing 
them, " that the divine nature is not the human na- 
ture j neither is the human nature (abstradledly con- 
sidered) the diVine nature : but the divine word, as- 
suming a reasonable soul, by an in^parable union, and 
ciuuii-u^ that soul and word with that holy body, born 
of the Virgin Mary : this is the true Christ, and so 
appeared to the Jews : but the divine word, clothed 
with that holy soul as a veil, now appears to us Gen- 
tiles, as he is light ; not appearing to us in the bright- 
ness of his Godhead ; for so we cannot behold hirn in 
the state we are in : but being thus veiled by a soul 
homogeneal to us^, bei^g of our nature j here we begin 

to 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 243^ 

to perceive him, till by degrees we are changed^ so as 
to behold him in future ; and more excellent glory, as 
to degree of manifestation." 

The meeting ended in much sweetness in prayer, 
and I had great peace after it, and was very easy, as 
if I had done on that side the sea. We were at 
Malkwern, and Staveren, but no suitable opportunity 
being found for meetings at either of these "places, and 
being easy to pass over to Enkhuysen, v/e embarked 
about two in the afternoon, and arrived there, through 
the goodness of God, our great Prote£lor and Saviour, 
well, and in great peace with him, about seven in the 
evening. We v/ent to the house of Martin Daniel, a 
friendly man, to answer the kind invitation he had 
given us as we went that way before ; but discoursing 
Vvath him^ about a meeting, he told us there was hardly 
any in all that great city, vv^ho inclined to come to a 
meeting, being generally Calvinists, and not in want. 
Finding things so cold, and expefling better service 
elsewhere, we concluded not to stay, but, before Vv^e 
departed, I exhorted them to be true and faithful to 
the Lord, according to the degree of m.anifestation 
they had, and then they m.ight expe£t more. After a 
tender time in prayer, we parted in peace., 

In our way to Twisk, we called to see Diric Min- 
dersen, at Bennawisent, a village, having heard he de- 
sired it. He had been a Mennist, but, for som^e time 
had withdrawn himself from their worship, and re- 
rriained alone ; but his two daughters, inclining to our 
meetings, he had given them their freedom., and him- 
self also had an inclination to truth. He received us 
very kindly. And, after a tim^e of silence, John Pad- 
ley had some words in prayer ; I also having had a se- 
cret concern whilst I was there, after John had done, 
spoke to this efFe£l; : " That the Lord was at v/ork in 
many hearts to draw men under his own blessed teach- 
ings ^ and the voice of the angel of the covenant of life 
Vv^as^now calling unto the people of God, yet in Baby- 
lon, 



2U LIFE OF 1715 

Ion, to come out of her , not to be partakers with her 
in her sins^ lest also they should partake of her plagues : 
and so exhorted him to. be true and faithful unto the 
Lord, in what he knew, and the^ Lord would soon 
make him wiser than all his former teachers." 

I then kneeled down in prayer, and we had a com- 
fortable season, and parted with him in much tender- 
ness. At Twisk we were kindly received by our friend 
H. Jonsen, and the rest of friends there : were at their 
meeting, which was not large of itself, but there being 
several of the sober neighbours at it, the little place 
w^as full : but here, where we might have expecled 
more openness, than in many other places, being 
most of them such as make some profession of truth, 
I was sensible of as great a power of darkness as in 
any place we had been in, all this journey ; and the 
meeting was accordingly dull, and hard, a long time 
in silence -, but the Lord being w^th us, gave us the 
viftory and dominion in the end, and several were ten- 
dered and comforted. After it we went to H. Jonsen's, 
w^here several came to us ; but the comfort and edifi- 
cation we might have had together was interrupted by 
two persons, vv^ho entered into discourse concerning 
water baptism, and shewed some v/armth on the occa- 
sion. 

The next day we went to Horn, and m.ost of the 
friends with us, where we had a far more open and 
comfortable season together in the Mennists meeting- 
house. We were invited to dinner by a friendly per- 
son, named Vlasblome, and kindly entertained. 

Li the afternoon, we proceeded for Amsterdam, 
where we arrived about seven the same evening. Our 
friends were glad of our return, and received us kindly. 

On t|ie 2Sth we were at their week day meeting, 
W'hich was small and cloudy, yet the truth in some- 
more dominion than in the meetings before in this 
place. On the 29th their quarterly meeting W3S held, 
which was small and dull. The next day we went to 

Haarlem ; 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 245 

Haarlem ; and that evening had a meeting there^ 
which was both large and open ; many things relating 
to truth being clearly opened, and the truth In good 
dominion, the people being generally satisfied^ and 
friends comforted. 

On the 2d of 8th month, being first day of the week, 
we were again at the meeting at Am.sterdam, which 
was larger than on any other day, both forenoon and 
afternoon. Several persons coming in, when they 
hear of strangers, there is frequently a fresh visitation 
' to them, which makes things more lively and open. 
On the 3d the friends from Twisk, taking their fare- 
well of us, in much tenderness, departed homeward. 
And at the same tinr.e v/e went to Surdam, with a 
view of procuring a meeting among the Mennlsts 
there, but no convenient place presenting, and the 
chief of them being over at Amsterdam, v/e could not 
make it bear at that time. After staying several days 
longer at Am,sterdam, and being at several meetings, 
to a degree of satisfaftion, we took leave of friends 
in much love, and pretty easy In our minds, and 
went on the 1 1th to Haarlem, here we had a mxeeting 
the same evening, v/hich Vv^as large and very open : 
several teachers of diiferent sorts v/ere present, and 
generally satisiied. V/e lodged at Peter Leendaars. 

On the 12th (accompsnied by our ancient friend 
Jacob Claus, an old servant of truth, and of the minis» 
try, as an interpreter above thirty long and laborious 
journeys) we departed hence in the Trekschuvt, and 
arrived at Rotterdam that evening ; Robert Gerard^ 
meeting us in the way, took us with him to his house. 
The next day, in the evening, v/e appointed a mieet- 
ing, where we had the company of some people of 
different persuasions. Truth vv as declared plainly and 
fully to them ; during which they were still, and seem-^ 
ed touched with some sense of the power of God, 
which reigned in the meeting, and the Lord's nam.e 
was honoured by it, 

X 2 On 



246 LIFE OF 1715 

On the 16t}i^ being first day of the week, we were 
at the meethigs both forenoon and afternoon ; and 
people of several notions were there : things opened 
largely, and with good authority concerning Christ, as 
God and Man^, and the obje£t of the faith of the Gen- 
tiles, as he is light and life, being so promised of the 
Father unto us. I was at their week day meeting 
on the 19th, which was altogether of friends; it was 
rmall, but the Lord was graciously pleased to visit us 
together, in his tender kindness and mercy, and open- 
ed things fully to the states of all ; and it was a good 
meeting. On the 22d John Padley embarked for 
London, and no opportunity offering for Yarmouth, 
where I intended, 1 continued here some time longer, 
•ind was with friends from time to time at their meet- 

I enquired now more particularly into the state of 
the Mennists in those parts, and found, that all along, 
rlieir ministers had preached freely, till of late some 
]\ere and there had begun to receive hire, but were 
ifioderate therein ; and, though they still kept up their 
« )ld testimony against fighting and swearing ; yet they 
.ire not so lively in their worship, nor so near the truth 
•<is they were in their first appearance. And I was in- 
formea, that their ministers are, for the most, but weak 
•and dry in their ministry \ so that sometimes their hear- 
tjiS had rather, some of them would be silent than 
r>reach, though gratis. And if thus it be, it hath 
i ared with them as with many others, who having had 
a day of visitation from the Lord, and obtained a repu- 
lation through his goodness among them, and by that 
Iioly and innocent conversation they have had through 
liis grace; yet some becoming more loose, and not 
keeping in the grace of God, and the virtue and power 
of it, have ended in mere formalists ; and then, in a 
generation or two, little has appeared but the outside 
and form of godliness, which the power of grace 
brought forth ir. tho^e who went before j and so, in a 

great 



1715 THOMAS STORY. 247 

great measure, it is with them : yet, in the main, they 
are preserved from the gross evils of the world ; and I 
hope the Lord hath a visitation of life and power yet 
in store for them. Among other things, I obtained 
the form of words used by them, instead of an oath; 
w^hichds thus, In the ^ivords of truth ^ instead of a so- 
lemn oathy I declare^ Sec. 

The wind at length coming fair, and I inclining to 
take the first likely opportunity, on the 13th of 9th 
month, being first day of the Vv^eek, after two good 
meetings, I went to the Briel, accompanied by Robert 
Gerard, his wife, their sister Bethia, and their brother- 
in-law John Davison. After staying here a day or 
two, I embarked in a ship, and, through the good 
providence of God, arrived safe at Yarmouth on the 
I7th. For which, and all the preservations of the 
I^ord, through so many dangers, I desire to remain 
thankful unto him only. Stayed at Yarmouth till the 
20th ; I w^as at their mieetings ; after which I went to 
Norwich, and spent some time there, to a good degree 
of satisfa6iion ; from thence proceeded to visit several 
meetings in Norfolk and Suffolk, till I carne to Col- 
chester, where I was at the meetings on a first day ; 
and in the afternoon had a long tim^e, many, both 
friends and others, being present. 

On the fourth day following, ^th of 11th month,! 
went to Kelvedon, to Dr. John Fish's^ who gave me 
some things which proved helpful, as I was at this 
time much indisposed ; the next day I went to John 
Osgood's, near Coggeshall, where I staid two weeks, 
in which time I was at several meetings near by, and 
being much recovered, went on the 18th to Chelms- 
ford, and from thence to London, where I stayed 
some time, and the Lord v/as pleased to make my ser- 
vice acceptable to his people there in a general way, 
and many good times we had together in his blessed 
presence, during my stay about the city , I also visited 
some of the neighbouring meetings y as Ryegate, 

Winchmorehill^ 



248 LIFE OF - 1716 

Winchmorehillj Plalstow^ &c. But the yearly meet- 
ing at Bristol approaching, and having some drawings 
thither, on the 14th of 2d month, 1716, I set for- 
ward from London, and that night lodged at Rus- 
comb, with our friend Wilham Penn, where my com- 
pany was acceptable, and we were mutually comfort- 
ed one in another. The half-year meeting being at 
Reading, on the 15th I was there, it was large and 
open ; the next day I returned to Ruscomb, and on 
the 18th was at a meeting at Henly ; on the 20th went 
to Newberry, where a m.eeting was appointed j next 
day I was at Marlborough ; and on the 2Sd at Calne, 
where the testimony of truth run sharp against such as 
underhand colleague with priests, and support them 
by payment of tithes, &c. I heard afterwards some 
there were guilty ^ and the honest minded v/ere com- 
forted, in that tlie reproof was full and plain from the 
testimony of one, who was so great a stranger to any 
of their conditions in particuiar. 

After this, I had meetings at Charlecot, Chippen- 
ham, and Crosham •, and on the 28th went to Bristol, 
where I staid the tinie of their yearly meeting, and had 
some publick concern among themi, to mutual com- 
fort, especially in the parting meeting, which v/as very 
large and full, both of friends and strangers \ the Lord 
was pleased to raise his truth and wisdom over all, to 
his own glory, and the general satisfa£lion of those 
present. For it is not man, but the Lord that v/oi'ks 
€iFe6lually, and the honour is due to God only, though 
the weak' are apt to look to an instrument, which, in 
itself, is nothing. 

On the 3d of the 3d month I was at Frenchay meet- 
ing, and on the 4th at Bath *, this was a comfortable 
meeting ; and Samuel Bownas, that able and experi- 
enced minister of the gospel, being there, I was also 
comforted in his ministry. On the 6th I was again at 
the mxceting at Bristol ; from thence went to Thorn- 
bury, and Naiisworth, Cirencester^ "Whitney, and Ox- 
ford, 



1716 THOMAS STORY. 2m 

ford, taking meetings in my way to London, where I 
came on" the 17th, and stayed there during the time of 
the yearly meeting. 

On the 8th of the 4th month I set forward from 
London, with a view of visiting friends in Ireland ; 
that night I went to Marshgate, and next day to Rus- 
comb, to William Penn's ; who I found in the same 
condition he had been in for some time, viz. full ©f 
love and sweetness, but not able to express himself as 
formerly before the apopleftick fit, which had so much 
impaired his memory. On the 10th, being first day 
of the week, I went to the meeting at Reading ; was 
likewise at their meeting on the I2th, to good satis- 
faftion. And, agreeable to what had been in my 
view before, I now used some endeavours to bring 
the remnant of those friends back, who formerly, by 
means of J. S. had separated themselves : I went to 
some of their houses, and was kindly received •, found 
them not averse to return, but loth to make any ac- 
knowledgment of any fault in separating, unless the 
friends there would take blame also, which I could by 
no means yield to : for they had gone ofF under a jea- 
lousy that friends were apostates and innovators, and 
had lonor continued in that error and schism. And 
Tiow being satisfied that they had been m.istaken, and 
that friends Vv^ere not such (as several. of them owned) 
I thought they might well acknowledge their mistake, 
and so be reconciled. But I found one main obstruc- 
tion was on account of their preacher; therefore I 
spoke to him the next day, and found him condescend- 
ing : and though affairs could not then be brought to 
a conclusion, we parted in peace ; and 1 was very easy 
and comforted in the Lord, after a full and hearty 
endeavour for their reconciliation ; having nothing in 
view but the honour of truth, and their own good in 
it. 

On the 14th I went to Upton, and next day had an. 
appointed meeting at Bluebury j from thence to Char- 



^50- LIFE OF 1716 

low, Panswick, Nallsworth, Tidbury^ and Bath, at- 
tending their meetings •, and on the 29th came to 
Bristol, where I v/as at several meetings, that were 
open and comfortable. I was here informed that the 
separate persons at Reading had laid down their meet- 
in^T. and returned to friends, which gave m^e great sa- 
tisf.iftion. 

On the 20th of 5th month the vessel sailed from 
King's Road, in which I had taken my passage for. 
Ireland ; but being detained by contrary wind, we - 
stopped at Minehead, and did not arrive at Cork till 
the 28th ; here I was at several meetings, and at their 
week day meeting on the 31st, which was larger, I 
suppose, by reason of the notice going about, of my 
being the Dean of Limerick's brother ; which, though 
it made my Vv'ork the harder, their minds being out- 
ward, and their expectations high, and off from the 
true objeft ; yet, my mind being only to the Lord, he 
was pleased to answer, and things were pretty well. 

The 5th of i)t\\ month, being first day, was their 
province meeting. In the morning I was at the meet- 
ing of ministering friends, which was small and heavy, 
the weight of the approaching meeting being upon us ; 
but the Lord owned us with his good presence, in 
some degree. And in the m.eetings this day (which 
were large both forenoon and afternoon) the Lord was 
with us in his power and wisdom, and many things 
were opened to general satisfaftion. The next day, 
in the morning, we also had a good time ; and in the 
afternoon, being for the inspeftion of the affairs of 
truth, things v/ere Vv'-ell and peaceably managed, and 
ended in comfort. On the 7th Vv^as a meeting more 
seleft for the young people, in which I had a very 
open and full time to them in the love of truth, and 
many of them were much reached: the Lord gave us 
a good meeting, and season of his love, and celestial 
showers together, to his own praise, and our mutual 
consolation, help, and edification. 

It 



1716 THOMAS STORY. 25i 

It being the time of the assizes, many of the higher 
rank were in town ; and one day came to my friend 
John Pikes, the young Countess of Kildare and her 
sister, with three others of lesser quaHty : we had 
some free and open conversation, in which this lady, 
and the rest, commended the plain dress of our wo- 
men, as the most decent and comely, wishing it was 
in fashion among them. Upon this, I told her, " That 
she, and the rest of her quality, standing in places of 
eminence, were the fittest to begin it, especially since 
they saw a beauty in it •, and tliey would be sooner 
followed than those of lower degree." To this she re- 
plied, ^^ If we should dress ourselves plain, people 
would gaze at us, call us Quakers, and make us the 
subject of their discourse ; and we cannot bear to be 
made so particular." I answered, " The cause is so 
good, being that of truth and virtue, if you will espouse 
it heartily upon its just foundation, a few of you would 
put out of countenance, with a steady and fixed gra- 
vity, abundance of the other side, who have no bot- 
tom, but the vain customs of the times ; and you will 
find a satisfadlion in it, an overbalance to all you can 
lose, since the works of virtue and modesty carry in 
them an immediate and perpetual reward to the 
v/orker." 

This seemed not unpleasant, being said in an open 
freedom. 

On the 9th I went to Kinsale, and had a meeting 
to good satisfaftion ^ from hence I returned to Cork, 
and was at several meetings there. On the 16th I 
was at Charleville meeting, and on the 19th at Lime- 
rick ; being first day of the week, the meetings were 
crowded, and things opened well : but the greatest 
part having no want of truth, but drawn by curiosity, 
i had not so much satisfadion in them as in some 
other places, where the people's coming had a better 
inducement. They had conceived a notion, as I heard, 
-^hat I was for the high church, and the Pretender y the 

reverse 



1B^2 LIFE OF 1716 

reverse to my sentiments on these affairs ; but so far 
as my thoughts have been employed on them, (and 
that as httle as most men) I have ever left those things 
to Providence, being content vidth what the Lord or- 
ders therein, without murmuring or meddling ; and 
this has been productive of great peace to me, ever 
since the beginning of the revolution. 

After this I was at several more meetings at Lime- 
rick to a good degree of satisfaftion : things opened 
well on several points, especially concerning freedom 
from sin in this life, and the necessity of it-: in which 
<^ I urged the catechism of the church of England, and 
the great vows and promises tlierein mentioned •, that 
the composers of it, either believed the possibility of 
this attainment, or they did not ; if they did, then 
they tau;-ht a perfection higher than ever we had done, 
viz. That men may live from their infancy to the day 
of their death, even if they live to a great age, and ne- 
ver sin. For he that renounces the devil and all his 
works, the pomps and vanities of this world, and all 
the sinful lusts of the flesh ; keeps God's holy will, or 
law, and com.mandments, and walks in the same all 
the days of his life •, and, finally, believes all the arti- 
cles of the Christian faith, never sins, or errs, in faith 
or praftice. But if they did not believe the attain- 
ment, and yet enjoined and promised the thing, then 
they com.mitted great sin in so doing. For what is tiot 
of faith is sin. But, alas ! though despising the cove- 
nant of grace, they have thus invented to themselves 
a covenant of works they have not kept, being, by 
their own confession, miserable sinners, leaving un- 
done those things they ought to have done, and doing 
those things they ought not. 

" I dire6led them therefore to God's covenant of 
light, and that grace came by Jesus Christy (which, 
though they m.ention it in their catechism, regard it 
not in praftice, but commonly dispute, that no man 
can be free from sin in this life) as the only means so 

attain 



1716 THOMAS STORY. 253 

attain that freedom, and perform those vows ; which 
would be exafted in a day that was hastening over all 
nations, when all must give an account before the 
great Judge of all the world, and every one be reward- 
ed according to his works." 

All which they seemed to bear v/ith patience ; but, 
in rejecSling purgatory as a Satanic invention, to elude 
the end of the coming of Christ, (which was to de- 
stroy the works of the devil, to finish sin, put an end 
to transgression, and bring in everlasting righteous- 
ness) and render poor weak mortals secure in their 
sins, in vain hopes of purification after death. 

Some of the Papists went out of the meeting, be- 
ing bent against what is good and true ; and mean no- 
thing but the slavery of sin, Satan, and priestcraft to 
the end of the world ; which God will disappoint, and 
destroy by the brightness of his combing, and glory, 
now advancing, as the rising sun, through the thickest 
darkness ! and none shall be able to hinder it. 

On the 28th I was there ag lin •, and the meeting 
being more sele£l:, it was very open to friends, and 
the Lord gave us a baptizing season of his love toge- 
ther ; and things ended here to general satisfaction. 
Having had a kind invitation by my brother and sister 
to their house at Bilboa, I went thither, accompanied 
by Joseph Phelps, George Pease, and my cousin 
Charles Story, one of the prebends of Limerick : this 
was an uncommon mixture, but no occasion of OiTence 
given, or taken on any hand : and mxy sister being a 
person of a good natural t :mper, and very discreet j 
and my brother also v/ell pleased with our company. 
He shewed us his deer, park, and some of his fields. 
The two friends went back to Limerick, but I staid 
till the first of 7th month, when rny brother went 
with me, about five miles, to the house of . 

Waller, where the same friends met me, and that 
evening we went within five miles of Birr, and had a 
large meeting next day, but not very open. From 

Y hence 



254? LIFE OF 1716 

hence I proceeded to Birr, Greenougli, Old Castle, 
and other places, having meetings to good satisfaction. 
On the 22d I was at the six weeks meeting at Grange, 
"v^^here some strangers came ; and, among others, one 
Moses Cieck, who had received his education at Glas- 
gow, and been a preacher in good repute among the 
Presbyterians : but having fallen in with one of our 
meetings providentially, some years before, was reach- 
ed by truths under the ministry of Hugh Hamiilton, 
and afterwards by John Salkeld, though he still con- 
tinued in his old way till the week before this, when 
he had decined his ministry, and left them; though 
they had taken great pains to reclaim him, and offered 
him his choice of several parishes, or places, but in 
vain : for he owned himself convinced of truth, as 
professed by us in many things; though not in all at 
that time. We had a good meeting ; but laking ex- 
ceptions at some things I delivered, after the meeting, 
he discoursed with me upon them ; and I explained 
them fully, so that all ended well. 

On the 30th I came to Lurgan, where I staid a few 
days, being a little wearied with my journey and ser- 
vice, and willing to take some rest, especially where 
I found the most service. On the 7th of 8th month 
I was at the meeting at Grange, by CharlemiOnt, 
which was large, and an open, good meeting ; I had 
a long time in it, and many things were fully and 
clearly opened ; after which I was as easy, and much 
comforted as at any hitherto in Ireland. On the 13th 
I was at the province meeting at Lurgan ; it was large 
and open, y I had some time, after the meeting, for 
business ; which was satL-faftory to all, being concern- 
ing my own experience in the time of my ccnvince- 
ment, and the satisfaftion I had, in secret, in these 
meetings for business, before I found myself at all 
qua ified to a£l in. them ; which was not till my peace 
began to lessen, by reason of my aversion and negleft : 
for if I could have had peace, and the enjoyment of 

the 



iri6 THOMAS STORY. ^5B 

the good presence of the Lord, without either preach- 
ing, or ansv/ering the concerns incumbent on me fro:n 
him in matters of discipline and affairs of the church. 
I had much rather never have meddled in it *, observ- 
ing the tempers of some men professing truth, and, 
what spirits they are of, for the most part, who are 
to be dealt with in it. And that tliough the discipline 
now in use in the church was of God, through the 
openings of his wisdom, and diftates of his Spirit ; yet 
it may be said now of discipline, as Paul^ personating 
that state, said of the law. The law is spiritual, holy, 
righteous, just, and good, but 1 am carnal^ sold u?ider 
sin. The discipline is settled to great and glorious 
ends : but as Satan regards not what be the law, 'f he 
can be judge to pervert it, so, even in this age, t'le 
mystery of iniquity has so wrought, as that ungodly 
men, in some places have advanced themselves into 
the seat of judgment, whose spirits and ways are for 
judgment and condemnation \ who, by that means^ 
being unseen of some, and awing others, turn the edge 
of judgment backwards, and prevent all right ; put 
truth for error, and error for truth •,. which being the 
highest abomination and indignity to the Lord, he will 
shortly arise every where, to the discovery and over- 
throw of all such, with their evil work, throughout 
the world. # 

The province meeting at Lurgan being over, on the 
15th I proceeded on my journey, and had meetings 
at divers places, as Ballinahinch, Ralthfriland, New- 
ry, Dundalk, Drogheda, and from thence to Dublin^ 
where I remained till the 29th, then went to Timaho, 
Edenderry, Ballytore, Castledermont, and had meet- 
ings. On the 7th of 9th month I returned to Dublin, 
and was at the half year's national m.eeting. All the 
affairs of it were carried on with great ease and unity, 
and in m.uch sweetness. Finding an openness at 
Dublin, and many people, of divers sorts, frequent- 
ing our meetings, especially in the afternoon, I staid 

there 



256 LIFE OF llm 

there till the 20th of 10th month, and had services of 
several kinds. 

On the 22d, being the seventh day of the week, we 
went to the province meeting at Carlow ; which held 
that day and the day following, and was a good open 
meeting. On the 25th I had a meeting at Kilionore, 
which being the day commonly called Christmas ; there 
were a pretty many strangers present, and the Lord 
was with us, to our comfort. In this meeting, it was 
upon me to set forth " the word of God made flesh, 
(or appearing in flesh) born of the Virgin Mary, sent 
to the Jews in that manifestation, according to the 
foreknowledge, purpose, and promise of God; but 
they (save a remnant of them) rejefted and crucified 
him 5 and yet at the same time were magnifying Mo- 
ses, and garnishing the tombs and sepulchres of the 
prophets, and boasting themselves of them, but refu- 
sing the Son of God himself, Lord of all the pro- 
phets. And that even so now are the nominal Chris- 
tians of several nations ; that whilst they keep f east- 
ings and revellings, under pretence of honour to Christ, 
in commemoration of his birth, behave themselves so 
as rather to represent a triumph of sin and Satan ; re- 
jefting his divine light and grace in themselves y cru- 
cifying to themselves the Son of God afresh by wicked 
w^orks ; in which they abounded, especially at that 
time." 

It was a good meeting, and ended to satisfaftion. 
On the 27th we had a meeting at Ballycaine, on tlte. 
following days at Escontinna, Ballancarring ; and on 
the 30th was at the monthly meeting at Lamb's Town, 
which was large, consisting of several neighbouring 
meetings ; in the beginning of it heaviness attended, 
the ears of the people being outward for words ; but 
the Lord condescending to us, was pleased to appear 
after some time, and the way ofs truth was opened 
clearly and fully, and many were reached, truth being 
over all. 

On 



1716 THOMAS STORY. 257 

On the third day following I went to a meeting at 
Wexford, which was large and open, and therein I 
had to declare to the people the abominations of Ire- 
land, in her different parties, covering her fields with 
the blood one of another : the inconsistency of it, with 
the nature of that love through which Christ died for 
all, whilst yet enemies •, the ingratitude df Ireland to 
the Lord for her many deliverances ; and the threaten- 
ings of the Lord of further punishments yet to come, 
in case of continuance in wickedness, by the sv/ord^ 
pestilence, fire, and famine : in the delivery whereof 
all were bowed, and the meeting concluded in a 
weighty frame. 

On the 2d of 11th m.onth I returned to William 
Sandwith's, and had a meeting there ; and on the 4tli 
at New Ross, at which were many of the inhabitants* 
The Lord seasoned my heart with his grace, and re- 
newed his Holy Spirit in me, for I had been somewhat 
low in my miind that day. 

On the 6th I was at their m.eeting at Waterford, 
which was open and comfortable, many being bowed 
under the blessed truth, and some sv/eetly broken and 
melted ; and a comfortable time the Lord gave us, to 
his praise. In the afternoon we had a large meeting, 
many strangers being present, and things opened fully, 
and with good authority. I had something to say about 
transubstantiatlon, and the unprofitableness of such 
eating and drinking of the body and blood of Christ, 
if really true, v/hich I could not grant, but oppose. I 
attended several more meetings at this place, to satis- 
faftion. In one of them I was concerned to open to 
the people that called the apostle's creed, as to the arti- 
cle, " He descended into hellP I took exceptions to it 
thus : " His being dead and buried, sets forth he v/as 
in the state of the dead \ and his descending into hell, 
as they suppose, cannot mean he tasted of the state of 
the damned \ which does not agree with what he said 
to the thief upon the cross, viz. To day shah thou be 

Y 2 . %vith 



258 LIFE OF 17 IS 

ivith me m paradise.^ The word thou^ respefting the 
thief, being intended of his soul only ; (for his body 
v/as broken and buried ^ or disposed of after the man- 
ner of criminals, and not in paradise) and, the word 
mey respefting Ckrisi^ must intend his holy and inno- 
cent soul, in an inseparable union with the divine 
word, (for so it was from the beginning) to be in pa- 
radise, at the same time when the body lay dead in 
the sepulchre ; and since the body was in the grave, 
and the soul in paradise, what was there of Christ to 
be in hell ?'* Which I recommend to their further 
consideration. 

Another point also fell in my way, viz. Predestina- 
tion, wherein it is said, " That God, from all eternity, 
hath decreed scm.e m.en and angels unto life and salva- 
tion, and others unto damnation or destrufliion ; and 
the number is so certain and definite, that not one can 
be added or diminished." Upon which I thus remark- 
ed, among other things, " That it is a contradiftion in 
the terms in which it is laid down : for the aft of the 
xlivine will, moving to a decree, must have a begin- 
ning, in order to eiFeft that decree; and therefore 
cannot be from all eternity, or without beginning, 
which is all one. And if God had at all m.ade such 
a decree, whether before or since the world began, he 
had not then left any room for that saying, As I live^ 
saith the Lordy I have no pleasure in the death of the 
ivickedy but that the ivicked turn from his luayy and live,\ 
But so the Lord hath said long since the worW began, 
nnd since the time of the supposed decree ; and there- 
fore he had not made any such before at all. Again, 
\vhen God, by his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, offered 
salvation to the people of the Jews, especially at Jeru- 
salem, and they (most of them) refusing it, at last he 
wept over them, saying, Jerusalem^ thou that hillest 
the prophetSy and stonest them which ^re sent unto thee^ 

* Li:lie xxiii. 43, f Ezck. xxxUi, II' 



1716 THOMAS STORY. ^59 

how often would I have gathered thy children together as 
a hen gather eth her chickens under her wings y but ye would 
not,'^ Now, if God had decreed thCvSe to destruflion, 
why did he offer them salvation, and charge it upon 
themselves as an aft of their own will to refuse it ? It: 
cannot consist, with any notion of justice, that God 
hath given to rational beings, that he should decree 
any to damnation, offering terms of salvation to the 
same persons, whom he rejefts for non-compliance, 
when he that is Almighty, hath determined they should 
never comply.'^ 

After this I had meetings at Carrick^ Clonmell, and 
Youghall, to satisfaction. On the 19th went to Cork, 
and was at their province meeting, which v/as pretty 
large, and well ; it held two days. On the 22d and 
2jth I was at their week day meetings, consisting 
mostly of friends •, where I had opportunities to speak 
to some things more peculiar to their states, than in 
the mixed meetings. I proceeded to Kinsale, Malo^ 
and Charleville, and had meetings , and on the 9th of 
12th month went to Limerick, accompanied by seve- 
ral friends. Having had letters of invitati.jn from my 
brother George Story, then Dean of Lim.erick, and 
also from his wife, to take up my lodging at their 
house, I accepted of it, and was v/ith them during the 
time I staid in town. They were kind ; but in a short 
time I found my spirit under a great load, which ren- 
dered my stay there uncomfortable ; though things to 
outward view vv^ere agreeable. I at length perceived, 
from some conversation that passed, they were under 
a deep prejudice against the truth, being poisoned by 
the invidious and wicked writings of Lesly ; I procu- 
red the answer to him, wrote by Joseph ¥/yeth, and 
left it with them, in order that they might be better 
inform.ed concerning us. During m.y stay at Lime- 
rlckj finding things thus with my relations, I was, as 

* Matt. xxiiL 37, 

much 



260 LIFE OF 1717 

much as I well could, in the conversation of friends, 
as more easy and comfortable, my nearest relation be- 
ing to those who dwell in the truth, though not other- 
wise related. I was at the meetings on first day, 
which were large, especially in the afternoon, many 
coming out of curiosity, hearing I was the Dean's 
brother ; this was a cross to me, by their gazing and 
observation ; however, things were pretty full and 
open •, I staid the week day likewise, the next first day 
meetings, being preserved, so that they had no occa- 
sion against me. On the 18th I departed from thence, 
and went to Tipperary, Clonmell, Woodhouse, Cachel, 
Thirles, and Kilkenny, and had meetings. At thisr 
last place the meeting was disturbed, and I was taken 
out of it by officers, and committed to prison ; but I 
had not been long in the custody of the jailor, before 
Anthony Blunt, the sheriff of the city, came to me, 
and shewed his displeasure at their doings ; he called 
for a copy of the mittim.us, which he left in my hand, 
till he went to some of the justices to have their opi- 
nions and concurrence in taking me to his house; 
which, obtaining readily, he took me with him, and 
provided agreeable accommodations, to the disappoint- 
ment of divers. This I observed to be the Lord's do- 
ings, for the furtherance of the gospel, and his own 
glory ; the Lord was with me, to my comfort, as my. 
only sure help 

On the 6th and 7th days friends came from several 
parts to see me, and many staid in town till the first 
day, being Sd of first month, when we had a meeting 
in the sheriff's house, where his wife and family, and 
many of the neighbourhood, were present. After the 
mayor, and one of the aldermen, had used farther en- 
deavours to trouble me, I was set at liberty in a few 
days, and on the 11th left the place, several friends 
being in company, and on comparing things, we 
found, we had all had a share of the burthen ; but 
were very easy and comfortable in our spirits. On 

the 



J 717 THOMAS STORY. 261 

the 12th we had a meethig at Samuel Watson's, 
which was large and open. And on the 13th at Car- 
low ; from hence I went to Kilkenny, to see what they 
had to say to me at the assizes^ to which I had been 
committed by the mittimus aforesaid ; not thinking it 
honourable in the truth to take liberty by word only, 
lest, being absent, they might pretend I had given them 
the slip. 

On our way we fell in upon the road with some 
persons going to town ; and one of them offering some 
discourse about religion, I perceived he was a Roman 
Catholick; after some other points, we came upon 
that of transubstantiation. He urged the words of 
Christ •, where he said, concerning the bread, " Take^ 
*^ eat ye all of it ; this is my body which is broken for yon^ 
And again, concerning the cup, " Tins cup is the New 
*^ Testament in my bloody which is shed for you y^ &c. I 
endeavoured to shew him that " this was a figurative 
speech : this bread signifies my body, which shall 
shortly hereafter be broken for you : and, this cup ; 
that is to say, the wine, or liquor contained in it, sig- 
nifies, or symJoolizes, the New Testament in my 
blood : for if it were a proper speech, without any 
figure, many absurdities would follow, against both 
sense and reason ; whereas Christ and his apostles suit 
their dodlrine and miracles to both.. ' 

He said, Christ told the people, that ^^ Except ye eat 
the fleshy and drink the blood of the Son of Man^ ye have 
no life in you. There must then be some way of eat- 
ing and drinking, to make good that saying ; which is 
also very plain in its own nature, the flesh and blood 
in a proper sense." 

To this I answered, " That Christ did say so, and 
the people took him to mean properly and without a 
figure, as ye now do ; looking upon the impossibility 
of the thing in the sense they and you take it •, but 
when they were all ofFended and gone, he turned to 
his disciples, and explained it to them, for they seem« 

ed 



262 LIFE OF 17 ir 

ed not" rightly to understand him ; Will ye also leave 
me P It is given to you to U7ider stand the mysteries ; hut to 
them (the world) in parables. What then was the pa- 
rable, or mystery ? It is the spirit that quickens^ the 
jlesh profit eth nothing^^ 

I further added, <« That if therefore the bread were 
really transubstantiated, after the words said, and were 
the true body and blood of Chrfet ; and if they really 
ate and drank the same flesh and blood, which then 
they beheld, it would profit them nothing. ' 

He acknowledged, " The flesh and blood by itself, 
without the spirit, does not profit ; but when we eat 
the flesh and blood together, we eat the spirit also, 
and that quickeiiS as we eat it." I said, " This can- 
not be Christ's meaning ; for he does not only distin- 
guish, but divide between the flesh and spirit : // is the 
spirit that quiche ns^ but the Jlesh profit eth nothing. Man 
shall not live by bread alone ^ hut by every word that pro- 
eeedeth out of the mouth of God. 

<^ The words which proceed out of the mouth of 
God are spirit and life ; as said the Lord Christ, who 
is that word, * My words y they are spirit y and they are 
life ; which words the apostles knew, by experience, 
to make them aiive and preserve them ; as appears by 
the answer of Peter at the same time, f Whither shall 
we go P thou hast the words of eternal life. So that this 
quickening is not by the gross and carnal eating and 
drinking here imagined, but by receiving of the spirit 
through the words of Christ, abstrafted and apart from 
that holy body, and all other corporiety or body. And, 
for the further understanding of sayings of this nature, 
observe, that when the disciples of Christ were shew- 
ing him the temple at Jerusalem, and the beauty of it, 
he said to them, \ Destroy this temple, and I %uill raise 
it up in three days. The temp:e at Jerusalem was the 
obje6t of their eyes, and subject of their discourse, 

♦ John vi. 63* f John vi. 68* \ John ii. 19. 

which 



i?l7 THOMAS STORY. 263 

which gave them just occasion, as men^ to suppose he 
meant that temple; which they said was forty years 
in building, and could he raise it in three days ? They 
wondered at his saying ; but yet, in the sequel of 
things, they understood afterwards, that he spoke of 
tbe temple of his body. Again, in like manner, where 
he saith, * / am the vine^ ye are the branches. This 
may well explain that other saying, \ I will drink no 
more of the fruit of the vine^ till 1 drink it nenv nvith you 
in my Father'' s kingdom. Which can mean no other, 
than as his coming in the flesh consecrated the way, 
and was previous to the coming of the spirit ; so his 
drinking new wine in the kingdom of God, must in- 
tend the community of the spirit, expressed in the 
words of the apostle, concerning the whole church, 
\ We have all been made to drink into that one spirit J^ 

My opponent, being Vv^eary of the subje£l:, turned 
to something else, and said, " No doubt you have a 
good intent in what you do, in travelling so in the 
world ; but you must have some good, considerations 
for it, as our priests have gold and silver ; and men- 
tioned about 300 guineas for that time." 

I told him, *^ No, we whom God had raised up, 
and qualified in some degree, in this age, to that ser- 
vice, were advanced above any such mean, base, and 
mercenary considerations, as to take any thing from 
men for this labour ; which we bestow freely in the 
love of God, and by his commandment for the com- 
mon good of men." « Why," said he, " the apostles 
were but poor men, and wanted necessaries, and must 
have received of the people, or wanted." ^^ True," 
said I, ^^ but then they say, § Having food and raiment^ 
let us be therewith content. And where that is really 
the case, such as are in want of assistance, we do not 
begrudge them that-, but it is very seldom so among 

* Jolm XV. 5. f Matt. xxvi. i(). f r Cor. xii. 13, §1 Tim. vi. S. 

us; 



264. LIFE OF 1717 

us ; but rather with Paul we can generally say, * These 
hands of mine have ministered to my necessities. 

He replied, ** But in case your friends, after some 
good sermon, that pleaseth a great congregation well 
and generally, should offer you a purse of money, 
would you not accept it, being freely given ?" I said, 
^' No \ I hope it would be no temptation, if so it hap- 
pened \ but it cannot be, as long as they and I abide 
in the truth we profess, either that we should give or 
receive in that way : I should be greatly troubled to 
see such a degeneracy, as to subjeS: them to so great 
an evil." 

*^ You say well," he answered, " and I am apt to 
believe you ; but if you would not, there are many 
would be glad of the offer, and receive it with both 
their hands." 

^^ I believe it," said I •, ^« for there are too many 
mercenary hirelings in this age, who, though they 
pretend a mission to go teach and baptize all nations, 
yet sit down where they can have the first mainte- 
nance." 

" There is too much of it," said he ; ^^ and so we 
parted in friendship. Coming to Kilkenny, it was 
€Oon known, and many were looking what would be 
the issue of things ; my adversaries continued their 
endeavours to hurt me, but wer? disappointed •, though 
a fresh warrant was granted bv the mayor to appre- 
hend me, at the instigation of the bishop, on account 
of our having another meeting in the place, at which 
I had preached. The matter coming before the judges, 
they expressed their thoughts to several friends, that 
it was against the mind of the government that our 
meetings should be disturbed. And soon after the 
Serjeant that arrested me, came with a message from 
the mayor, that he had taken up the warrant and mit- 

* A<Sl5 XX. 34. 

timus> 



IVil THOMAS STORY. 265 

timus, and I was at liberty to go wherfe I pleased, if I 
M^ould accept of it. I told him, " the mayor ought to 
send me a liberate under his hand and seal •, and not 
think I was wholly at his disposal to put in and take 
out of prison, as he pleased." It was not long before 
the mayor came himself to my lodging, to tell me I was 
at liberty j for he had taken up the mittimus and de- 
stroyed it. I then told him, " Since that violence, by 
which my just liberty had been obstructed, was re- 
moved, if I could fxnd it consisting with what I pro- 
fessed, I should consider of ways and mieaiis how to 
do myself justice against such illegal proceedings; but 
as it was a wrong done me for the sake of my religion, 
I might probably bear it with patience." He made 
very little reply, but civilly departed. 

In the afternoon I went to Ballinakill, and the next 
day, being the 19th, had a meeting there. On the 
2 1st and 23d was at mxeetings at Montrath and Mount- 
melick •, at one of them som.e of the neighbours comang 
in (which I generally observe freshens meetings) 
many things were opened in the authority of truth, to 
edification, confirmation, and comfort. On the 27th 
I arrived safe at Dublin, where I was kindly received, 
and was at the meeting on the 29th, which was fresh 
and open, and we were comforted together in the 
truth ; which, as the heavens transcend the earth, ex- 
ceedeth all other enjoyments. 

Hearing of a vessel going for Chester, and Intend- 
ing for the yearly meeting at that place, I took timely 
care to secure my passage in it ; but the wind not an- 
swering, I staid till the first day following, being the 
31st. The meetings were very large, and things were 
open and well, and the blessed truth prevailed, through 
him. who is worthy above all for ever ! 

The wind continuing contrary, I still staid at Dub- 
lin^j^and was at their third day meeting ; where I had 
some time, things openins^ to many states very close ; 
and I came away easy. Some came to see me before 

Z I went 



^156 LIFE OF IT 17 

I went off; and among others, Captain Smith. He 
had been in military offices, but being under convince- 
ment, was at that time attended with great inward 
struggles ; and having a commission for being a cap- 
tain of dragoons then offered him, he would gladly 
have seen it lawful for him, and consisting with truth, 
to accept the commission^ and sell it, not intending 
to a6t upon it ; but upon some private discourse with 
him, he was more straitened about it, and was very 
tender and humble : we parted in love and friendship, 
he owning his satisfaftion in that conference. 

Having finished my visit in Ireland, on the 4th of 
2d month I set off from Dublin Bay about the second 
hour in -the afternoon ; and the next day about the 
same time arrived at Park-gate on Chester River, but 
went not on shore till the evening, the waves being 
high on the beach. ^ 

On the 7th, being first day of the week, we had 
meetings at Chester, which in a good measure made 
way for further service. The day following we held 
our meeting of ministering friends, which was pretty 
large, th^sre being some of both sexes from Ireland, 
Cumberland, Westmoreland, Lancashire, Cheshire, 
Yorkshire, WalCvS, &c. 

The next day the publick yearly meeting for the 
North was begun in the forenoon, and was large and 
open 5 the Lord appeared with us to the glory of his 
own name, and comfort of his people, as likewise to 
the general satisfa£l:ion, for there were present of 
inost sorts and sefts in the nation. The next morn- 
ing some select friends had a meeting of conference 
■about the affairs of truth, enquiring of one another 
how it prospered in their several quarters ; when some 
comfortable and encouraging accounts were given : 
that afternoon there was another publick meeting, 
'tvhere was supposed to be near four thousand peo;:Je ; 
and things were well, and truth prevailed to general 
satisfaction, and the praise of our great Lord ; whose 

honour, 



1717 THOMAS STORY. 26t 

honour^ and the good of his people, and of mankini 
in general, is what we aim at in all these thnig?» 
That evening the meeting ended, we having increased 
from time to time both in number and openness *, the 
people being more and mxore ready to hear, and seve- 
ral were convinced, so as to corne to meetings, and 
own truth openly. 

Intending hence through Wales to the yearly meet- 
ing at Bristol, I went to Rixham, Delobran, Montgo- 
mery, and Laneedless, taking m.eetings ; and was at 
the yearly meeting at Radnor, which w^as held part of 
the time in a barn belonging to the priest of tlie pa- 
rish, which he had granted to friends for that service : 
an instance of condescension in a man of his fun^fiion ; 
but being m^oderate when they made the request, he 
said, " Since we preached Christ, and endeavoured 
to reform the people, and aimed at the honour of God, 
he could not refuse it, though heexpe'Sled censure for 
it from his own people." Som€ of the meetings \vere 
held in the town-hall by leave of the magistrates, the 
bam being too little and incommodious ; there came 
several people of note, and a great concourse from di- 
vers places; a good time the Lord gave us, for his 
blessed power w^as over all, and honoured. 

After the meetirigs, a cerl-ain widow lady, who had 
been at them, and well satisned in the m.ain, desired 
some conference with me, v/ith which she seemed to 
be pleased, and said, she believed we had been much 
misrepresented in many things. On the 28th I wa5 
at their meeting at Haverford-Vv^est ; which was heavv. 
The matters v/hich concerned my mind in silence, 
were the leaven of the kingdom, and of the Phariseen, 
their difference in nature, operatiouj and end ; and the 
different states of souls at last, finally centering in the . 
one or the other. I had comfort in the Lord, but net 
much in the meeting ; for scm.e things were sharp andt 
plain to the states of several. I had another meeting 
or two here, but found things at a very low ebb among 

them 



268 LIFE CF 171T 

them as to the life of truth, though some alive. On 
the 2d of 3d month I had a m.eeting at James Town, 
on the 5th was at Swansey, and on the 7th came to 
Bridgend, where I had a meeting in the evening, at 
the house of Fluelling Jenkins, a friend, who lately 
settling there among a professing people, had some- 
times meetings, and many came in. Things opened 
much concerning the light of the Gentiles, and against 
that pernicious doftrine of predestination ^ by which 
their foundation was shaken, and some convinced, 
who I hope will stand. This made amends for some 
hard times in Wales before : it was a good meeting, to 
the praise and glory of God, and comfort of several. 
On the 10th I was accompanied by my old friend John 
Bevan to Pontypool, about 16 miles (though he was 
above 80 years of age) ; we had a meeting there that 
evening among a few friends, which was open and 
comfortable. He spoke in Welch ; and though I un- 
derstood not the language, yet v/as much comiforted in 
the truth all the time ; by vv^hich I perceived his min- 
istry was fromi that ground : his speech flowed very 
free, carrying a proportion and satisfa&ion to the ear, 
not ^sily expressed. For though the languages of 
men difler greatly, yet the language of truth, as to 
the comfort of it, is one in all nations. 

From hence I v/ent to Pontymoyle, Thornbury, and 
Frenchay, and had meetings: and on the 15th I came 
to Bristol, where I staid the yearly meeting, which 
was com.fortable, the Lord's blessed pov/er being over 
all, to the praise of his great name, and the comfort 
of many souls ! On the 24th I was at their M^eek day 
meeting, which was also comfortable, and 1 came away 
in great peace and love with all friends. On the 26th 
I was at the miCetings at Bath, which were in a good 
degree to satisfaction : from hence I went to Ciren- 
cester, and was at the quarterly m.eeting there ; in the 
meeting for business a letter was introduced, direfted 
to the meeting, from a person who intended to stand 

candidate 



1717 THOMAS STORY. 269 

candidate to serve as a member of parliament for 
Gloucestershire, or to solicit for some friend of his : 
this I observed as unusual, and not of good conse- 
quence ; though some of the younger sort were pleas- 
ed with it, the wiser sort were not so 5 finding a con- 
cern on my mind to caution the meeting, 1 told them, 
*f That as our m.eetings are altogether respefling reli- 
gion and the worship of God, and such things as relate 
thereunto, and not matters of policy or state, it might 
be of ill and dangerous consequence many ways, to 
introduce such things there, or in any of our meet- 
ings ;" several joined with this, and the rest were si- 
lent, all ending in peace. 

On the 29th we had a meeting at Farrington, and 
next day at Bishop's Town, where some of the people 
came in j but to me the meeting was very dull a long 
time. 

I had to say, ^^ That there had not been more mis- 
chief done among the cliildren of m.en by any one 
thing, in most ages of the world, than by men's run- 
ning in the name of God, as his messengers, when he 
did not send them ; who not only did not profit the 
people at all," (as declared in die 2Sd chapter of Jere- 
miah) ^^but did much hurt by misguiding thenf : and 
though it might look strange to some, that a meeting 
being appointed, and the people invited, I should say 
nothing ; yet as no consideration arising that way ought 
to prevail with me to run in my ov/n will, to speak of 
the things of God among them •, so it might be better 
both for them and me, I were silent, than do it : for 
though the apostle was come to so clear a distin61:io!i 
in himself, as to be able to say, * This say /, and not 
the Lord : and again. Thus saith the Lordy and not I. 
This I, without the Lord, having in miany others done 
so much hurt, 1 would rather at that time hazard their 
ceusure, and what might follow from thence^ than be 

I Cor. vii. 

Z 2. too 



270 LIFE OF niY 

too busy with the things of God, where he did not .- 
concern me : for though the day before, and many 
other times, I had been rightly concerned from the 
Lord ; yet it did not folloM^ that I might em.ploy my- 
self that day, when the Lord did not fit me, and re-* 
quire it at my hand, lest, instead of comfort, I should 
procure reproof from him ; and, in seeking my own 
honour, , dishonour tlie Lord, and so become a trans- 
gressor." 

Then recommending them to the teachings of the 
grace of God, I sat down ; and after a little time said, 
*' I would not have any think, 1 have smote at any of 
my brethren here who have been concerned in tl>e 
meeting j I have only spoken what was singly with 
me, relating to my present state." After this, being 
broken in spirit by the income of the love of truth, 
w liich reached several present -, in some time I was 
concerned in prayer, and the meeting ended well. 

The next day we caane to Newbury, and had a 
meeting there, which was pretty hirge and open ; and 
the day after, being 1st of 4th months went to Read- 
ing, where those who had separated themiSelves from 
friends, I found returned, and become one meeting 
since I was here last year. I had an open time among 
them, and was much comforted. They received me 
kindly; old things being laid aside, and not once 
named among them, as I had before advised, in the 
mind and v/isdom of truth ; through which I had been 
opened to that end. 

On the 3d I went to Ruscomb, to see our ancient 
and honourable friend William Penn, still remaining 
under the effects of a fit of apoplexy, much hurt as to 
his memory, and expressive faculty, but still living in 
the better part. From thence I went to London to 
the yearly meeting, which was large, and things in the 
main were comfortable, though as to my own par- 
ticular, rather being willing to be straitened than to 
Straiten any, I suffered rauch in my mind and spirit, 

for 



1717 THOMAS STORY. 271 

for want of opportunity to clear myself. At t}ie meet- 
ing for business I gave a relation of my travels since 
the last yearly meeting. 

On the 2d of 5th month I left the cityj having some 
other places before me, and that nigiit went to Hart- 
ford, where I was at the yearly meeting, from thence 
I went to Hitchin, Baldock, and Royston, having 
meetings y and to Cambridge, where, a mieeting was 
held, to which many of the scholars came, who w^ere 
generally wild and wanton ; I had to speak of some 
qualifications, both in preacher and hearer^ necessary 
in preaching the gospel ^ the teacher, as the oracle of 
God, being qualified by him with understanding and 
power, not acquired by the creature, but given by the 
Creator •, and the hearer ought to be stilL sedate,- and 
unprejudiced, free from enmity and passion, that ta.--. 
king things into his understanding, he might judge 
aright of what he heard. Something v/as said of the 
nature, end, and advantage of true silence, as com- 
manded of God by the prophet of old, and consisting 
also v/ith a state of glory in heaven ; with the differ^ 
ence between outward and inward silence -, the former 
from words and noises, and the latter from all evil 
thoughts, imaginations, and desires ; where sin has its 
beginning in the creature, so as to be chargeable with 
it in the sight of God. Other matters of importance^ 
were declared am.ong them, and some were solid, and 
afFecled with truth -, in the main I was well satisfi.ed 
with the meeting, and so also were friends. x4fter 
this I had meetings at Fladnam., Chatteris, Ramsay, 
Huntington, and Ives ', then went into Northampton- 
shire, where I had many meetings, to good satisfac- 
tion ; from hence I proceeded through Liecestershire, 
Nottinghamshire> &c. and came on the 3 1st to New^- 
castle, intending for Scotland. I staid the meetings 
here on first day, which were pretty large, and we 
were refreshed together^ in the Lord's goodness. 

On 



272 LIFE OF ' 1717 

On the 6th of 7th month I went to Kelso, and on 
the 8th v/as at the meeting there ; the next day I pro- 
ceeded to Edinburgh, where I had a meeting with 
about half a dozen friends still remaining, and some 
sober persons that came in. ^^ Though this city hath 
been often visited and warned from the Lord, by his 
servants, yet there appears not an inclination in them 
towards the way of truth, as professed by us, but the 
contrary, so far as I can see, or learn from those 
friends conversant among them ; though some sober 
people there are, who, in due time, may come for- 
w^ard." 

On the 11th I crossed the Firth of Forth, and Vv'ent 
to Kenway, from thence to Montross and Urie, to my 
friend Robert Barclay's ; and was at the meeting at 
Aberdeen, on the first day, where there was a large 
congregation of people. Having travelled far, in the 
good will and love of God, to see them, a little after 
my coming into the place, I was much broken in that 
love which reaches over sea and land, and engages in 
the greatest fatigues and labours for the good of souls ; 
for whom Christ died, through a never-fading love, 
not of man, but of God also ! I had a good season in 
the meeting, and several were reached, the truth pre- 
vailing over all. After this I went to Kingswells, 
Kilmuck, and Inverufy, and had meetings ; on the 
24th went back to Urie, with Robert Barclay, who 
had given me his acceptable comp'iny all this time. I 
staid here some days, (being under the exercise of a 
great cold) and finding an inclination to see the friends 
and people again at Aberdeen, I returned with Alex- 
ander JafFray to Kingswells, and from .thence to Aber- 
deen, where I was at several meetings till the 6th of 
8th month, when I was again at the meeting, which 
was large and open : many things were declared of 
great moment ^' concerning the law of the spirit, and 
its strivings with the. old worlds and also with Israel^ 

as 



1717 THOMAS STORY. x 27^ 

as likewise with the Gentiles^ and now with the nomi- 
nal Christians 5 and all were guilty who neglefted and 
opposed this spirit ; but such justified as believe and 
obey, to whom the same becomes a Icnu of life^ and. 
makes free from the law of sin and death, 'rhis is that 
book and law written in their hearts, sealed with seven 
seals, which none in heaven, or in earth, or under 
the earth •, neither angel, nor spirit of man, nor em- 
peror, king, prince, or potentate, pope, prelate^ priest, 
or presbyter, can open or explain ; but the Lion of the 
tribe of Jiidah^ the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mediator 
of the New Covenant, the writer and giver of this 
law •, whose law is light, and his commandment as a 
lamp that burneth.'' 

On the 7th I went again to Kingswells, and the next 
day to Urie, where I staid till the 12th, then went to 
Tayock, and on the 13th was at the meetings at Mon- 
tross, Robert Barclay and his son accompanying me 
some days on my return into England, till the 18th, 
when we parted with considerable reluftance : but as 
men are variously stated in this world by Providence, 
which separateth the nearest friends, our different con- 
cerns obliging to it, we were made easier to part, by 
tlie same who first made us acquainted in the time of 
our youth. I proceeded to Glasgow, and on the 20th, 
being first day of the v/eek, was at their meeting both= 
forenoon and afternoon, and had a meeting in the even- 
ing at a friend's house, which was as large as any of 
the other, and the people generally satisfied. On the 
23d I had a meeting at Garthshore \ and on the 24th 
went to Hamilton, where there is now remaining but . 
a very small number of friends, poor and honest, and 
but one or two of the old stock ; the meeting was o^^n 
and comfortable, the Lord owning us together. On 
the 26th I went to Cumberhead, (a lonely place among 
the mountains) and was at the meeting. On the 28th 
I went forv/ard for Cumberland, accompanied by my 
cousin Andrew Latimer, He took me to the house 

of 



271 LIFE OF 17 ir 

of one J. Williamson, his kinsmanj by marriage ^ witk 
whom falling into discourse, he, with all his might> 
maintained sin term of life in opposition to the plain- 
est scripture, and the end of the coming of Christy 
perversely alledging that the apostle Paul, at the time, 
of writing his epistle to the Romans, was in that mise- 
rable state of sin he speaks of in the 7th chapter : and, 
after much pains which I took to inform him, " That 
the apostle had, in the beginning of that epistle, v set 
forth the general state both of Jew and Gentile ; that 
all had sinned •, that Christ is the Saviour of all, that 
he saves all^ who believe and obey, from sin, not in 
it ; that the apostle brings his doctrine of freedom 
from sin in this life to a result or period in the latter 
end of the 6th chapter, and resumes the same doftrine 
in the beginning of the 7th, under another similitude, 
viz. of a woman bound by the law to her husband so 
long as he liveth, but he being dead, she is free to take 
another ; and then brings the same doftrine to a like 
conclusion in a few verses : and, prosecuting still this 
doctrine, in the fore part of the 8th chapter, establishes 
this great point in these words : The law of the spirit 
of rfe in Christ fesus hath made me free from the law 
of sin and death ^ &c. where it is evident, that as a man 
cannot be in these two opposite states at the same time, 
so the state of liberty from sin was not only the con- 
dition of the apostle himself, who preached the doc- 
trine, but of many of the saints at that time in the 
church/' I say, after all this, and much more to the 
same effect, this person still persisted in defence of 
sin, as being most suitable to a depraved state, and 
the prejudice of his education. 

On the 29th we went to Wanlock Head, and in a 
few days after arrived at my father's house at Justice 
Town in Cumberland, where I found him alive and 
well, but blind, being about 87 years of age : I staid 
som.e days with him, and was at the Border meeting, 
which was pretty large and open, several of the ancient 

friends 



17 J 7 THOMAS STORY. 275 

friends being still alive. After this, I attended meet- 
ings in Cumberland, at some of which the Pearsons, 
and J. Robinson, were disturbing ^ but truth being 
near to help, we had satisfaction and comfort over the 
heads of these opposers.' 

On the 13th of the 10th month I was at Great 
Broughton at their week day meeting ; but not having 
been at this meeting on a first day for many years, 
considering it was the place where I first knew friends 
to be the people of God, I was willing to have a little 
more time among them ; I therefore staid till the 1 5th, 
and was at the meeting in the forenoon, which was 
open and well; but not many strangers being present, 
and desiring to see as many of the people as I could, 
an evening meeting was appointed, which was large, 
and things opened clear to general satisfaction. The 
next day I went to Whitehaven, and, alighting at an 
inn, had an invitation by Justice Gilpin to lodge at his 
house, which I accepted of, and was kindly entertain- 
ed ; but not being able to procure a convenient place 
for a meeting in the town, we had one appointed at 
our friend John Nicholson's, about a mile distant -, to 
which came many of the towns people. James Dick- 
inson also met me there, and we had a good opportu- 
nity among them •, the power and presence of the Lord 
was with us, and the people were greatly satisfied, and 
several tendered. I returned to my lodging in the 
evening, and went from thence to West-side (or Cros- 
field) meeting; but inclining to see my old friends at 
Whitehaven again, I came back, and visited divers, 
meeting with respe£t among them. 

After this I was at many meetings in these parts, 
and at Newcastle, North Shields, and Sunderland, be- 
ing favoured with good and open times. On the 9th 
of i2th month I was at the meeting at Whitby, v/hich 
is large, there being a fine body of friends in that 
place ; I had several good openings am.ong them, and 
the testimony of truth had a free passage. They have 

two 



276 LIFE OF 17 IS 

two week day meetings, which I found 7)pen and 
comfortable. I staid there till the first day following, 
and was at the meetings, which were likewise open. 
From hence I proceeded to Staintondale, Scarborough, 
&c. taking meetings. On the 28th I was at Hull; 
the number of friends here is but small; but notice 
being given to some of the people, the meeting was 
pretty full, and things opened largely, both for the en- 
couragement of the faithful, and rebuke of the back- 
sliders ; especially the unfaithful concerning tithes, as 
a main branch of the testimony of truth in our day, 
against antichrist and his m.inisters : for which, I heard 
afterwards, there was too maich reason in these parts. 
On the 2d of 1st month I went to Beverly, where 
-we had a large meeting, and very open, many being 
reached by the power of truth. On the 4th I went to 
an appointed meeting at North Cave, where came 
people of several societies, as Papists, Episcopalians, 
Presbyterians, &c. Things opened largely, and the 
Lord gave us a good and comfortable time. On the 
6th I had a meeting at Cotness, not large, nor much 
in the flowing of life, but some things of great mo- 
ment were moving ; as, " Of the rise of antichrist in 
the apostles' days, his progress in the same sort of 
ministers, his heighth in the papacy, and approaching 
downfal in the same, and in all ethers the like, in all 
lands, and in all forms ; the truth, and its testimony 
and followers, persecuted in this land from the begin- 
ning ; the great reward and triumph of its faithful 
witnesses, and the mean and base spirits of those who 
were visited, and were unfaithful ; and their reward 
of infiup.y and death." On the 9th, being first day of 
the week, I went to RawclifF, where the meeting was 
large and open, there being friends from several other 
meetings, and some strangers. On the 11th and 12th 
I had meetings at Selby and Pontefraft ; the last was 
but small, there being but few friends, and some of 
them young, and not much acquainted with the work 

of 



lYi8 THOMAS STORY. 277 

of truth, as it is too much in most other places ; but 
being preserved pretty generally from the grosser evils 
of the world, and keeping orderly, there is good ground 
of hope the Lord will efFe<3:ually reach them in his 
ov/n time , as he hath already blessed many of them 
with the knowledge of his way and truth, to the com- 
fort of their own souls, and all that are concerned with 
them. 

On the 13th I was at a meeting at Wakefield, 
where we had some disturbance from a rude sort of 
people who came in ^ but truth being in dominion, 
they could not live under the cutting reproofs of it, 
but retired, and then we had a good season : upon en- 
quiry, I found they were scholars belonging to a school 
in the town, with some their like, abettors ; which 
gives me occasion to observe, " that we have but a 
sorrowful prospe£l of this rising generation, to see the 
youth so corrupted, especially at the colleges and 
schools in the three kingdoms (generally speaking) 
where young men have the rudiments of that learning 
and education, which should qualify them for the ser- 
vices of their own families and countrv. Hence arise 
the great mischiefs in church and state, in all the offices 
and officers, civil, military, and ecclesiastical ; in pride, 
in covet^sness, in emulation, strife and envy ; in lust 
of dominion, pre-eminence ar *. rule, to that degree, 
that the whole body of the peopi. of England is there- 
by in great danger of utter ruin : v/hich surely will 
come, if they continue to negleft so great salvation, as 
the Lord, in infinite mercy, yet continues to ofrer 
them \ in sending forth his light and truth so freely 
and plentifully am_ong them : in which he will be 
clear in that day, when their great sins will miake their 
deep humiliation so necessary to them." 

From hence I went to Leeds, York, and Gilders- 
ham ; and on the 30th to Kendal to the yearly meet- 
ing there, which was large and satisfaftory. After 
this I went to Lancaster, Penketh, Frenchay, Newton, 

A a Namptwich 



278 LIFE OF 1718 

Namptwich, and to the yearly meeting at Shrewsbury, 
which held several days to good satisfafbion. On the 
last day of the meeting, in the forenoon, I had a large 
open time. One thing happened somewhat remarka- 
ble in it : for, as I was concerned to speak of the cru- 
cifixion of Christ, and mentioning the incision in his 
side by the spear, whence issued blood and water j 
which clearly evinced he was wounded to the heart : 
7\ad that this being for the sins of men, without which 
that would not have been put upon him, I was so 
much affefled with it, that I could not go on, but, 
being much broken, stood still, till my Spirit was a 
little unburthened by an efflux of many tears, and the 
whole auditory was bowed, and generally broken and 
melted ; so that many confessed the truth. After 
some time I went on further with the matter, which 
opened so full, as I believe nothing stood in the way 
before all was ended. As this was the Lord's work, 
cmd his hand plainly in it (for at first 1 was very weak 
to the sight of all, by reason of a cold and hoarseness, 
but m.y voice grew stronger than common, and clear) 
so to him only be the glory an4 thanks, now and for 
ever. Amen. 

On the 24th I was at Wolverhampton meeting, and 
on the 27th at Birmingham -, from thence went to 
Stourbridge, Broomsgrove, Worcester, Tewksbury, 
and Gloucester, taking the meetings. On the 10th 
of 3d month I reached Bristol, and was at the yearly 
meeting, which was large and open. There was a 
large appearance of ministering friends, and among 
many others I had some concern in the meeting, viz. 
*' Touching the sins of the old world, and God's 
long-sufFering towards them for so many hundred 
years, and their destruction for sin at last •, the re- 
peopling of the world, and their degeneracy also -, the 
dispensation of God to the Jews, their apostasy, and 
inanv sins and provocations for many ages, and their 
destruftion likewise : and, lastly, the visitation of God, 

his 



ins THOMAS STORY. 27^ 

liis otters of salvation by Christ, and his light and grace 
to all nations ; the rise of antichrist in the apostles 
days, not among the Jews, nor Gentiles, but among 
the Christians-, who they were; their progress, height, 
and insults over mankind, subjefting all other powers 
to themselves, perverting the good ends of civil pow- 
er, and turning the edge of justice backward against 
the innocent, and indulging the ungodly ; the ap- 
proach of the final downfal and ruin of that power in 
all nations, wherever it has been in the world, under 
a profession of the Christian religion, longer ihau 
either in the old world, or the Jews •, and which can- 
not escape punishm.ent for the ocean of blood she hath 
shed, having the same righteous and Almighty Judge 
to answer before, and the word of his mouth already 
gone forth against her, in many prophecies of her fi- 
nal and perpetual desolation : and the tranquiriiiy of tlie 
nations and people after that, to the end of time, un- 
der the reign of the Lord Jesus, by his Koiy Spirit. 

On the 18th I went to Parsbury, and had a meet- 
ing; on the 19th to Nailsworth to the quarterly meeting 
of Gloucestershire. Being a little weary I staid here 
a few days, and on the 25th Vv^as at the meeting at 
Reading; from whence I went the sam.e evening with 
Hannah Penn, and some of her family, to Ruscomb, 
where I found her husband still weak, but very open 
to receive me ; which he expressed several ways. I 
went after this to Reading again, and on the 30th had 
a small meeting at Staines. The day following I went 
to London to the yearly meeting ; from, thence to Col- 
chester, and several other places, returning to London 
on the 23d'of 4th month, where having visited meet« 
ings for some time, and wrote and answered many let- 
ters both to and from America, Scotland, Holland, 
and the North of England, I left the city again en the 
24th of 5th month, in order for Bristol, where I came 
on the 29th, and a few days after received a letter to 
inform me of the decease of our ancient and honour-. 

able 



280 LIFE OF I71S 

able friend William Penn, who departed this life on 
the 30th, of a short sickness* I was much broken in 
spirit on reading the letter, considering how nearly we 
had been acquainted and united in the truth ; and a 
concern taking hold of my mind to be present at the 
interment of his corpse, I set out the same aftornoon 
from Bristol, accompanied by his son John Penn, and 
came to Ruscomb on the 1st of 6th month, where we 
found the v/idcw and most of the family together. 
Our coming occasioned a fresh remembrance of the 
deceased, and also many tears from all eyes. "We had 
a solid time, but few words among us ; it was a deep 
baptizing season, and the Lord v/as near. 

On the 5th I accompanied the corpse to the grave 
at Jordan's meeting-place, in the county of Bucks, 
where we had a large meeting of friends, and others, 
from many places : and, as the Lord had made choice 
of him in the days of his youth for great and good ser- 
vices, and had been with him in many dangers and 
difficulties of various kinds, so he did not leave him in 
his last moments. This occasion was likewise honour- 
ed with the Lord's blessed presence, and was a hap- 
py season of his goodness, to the satisfa£tion of those 
present. That night I returned to Ruscomb, v/here 
I staid till the 10th j and, being present at the open- 
ing of his last will, had occasion to advise the family 
touching their various interest therein, as I thought 
most conducing to equity, and their general peace and 
good, as became their relation to and honour of the 
deceased. 

I went after this to Reading, Newbury, and Bath; 
at the last place I staid till the 2d of 7th month, and 
attended the meetings, which were sometimes large. 
I had likewise here several opportunities of conversing 
on religious subjefts with the Countess of Ranelagh, 
who had lodgings at the friend's house where I was. 
Speaking upon infant baptism, she readily owned they 
were wrong in it^ as practising a thing not instituted ; 



1718 THOMAS STORY. 28 1 

and to confirm her therein, I produced two old can- 
ons ; the first in the Milevetan Council in Africa, anno 
402, in these words ; " It is our will, that all who 
*^ affirm young children have everlasting life, which 
" are not baptized, to the taking away original sin, 
^^ that they be anathematized/' 

The second, in the fifth Carthaginian Counci;, 416, 
runs thus : 

*^ We will, that whosoever denieth that little chiL 
^^ dren by baptism are not freed from perdition, and 
" eternally saved, that they be accursed/' And 
this was confirmed by pope Innocentius, and Augus- 
tine, with seventy bishops. These men from an ap- 
prehension that little children are guilty of original siii, 
so as to be damned for it, invented curses upoa 
such wlio did not agree with them in this opinion : 
wherein their language is, ^' It is our will^ ani W^e 
'■wUl^" and not a v/ord of the will of God \ as, to be 
sure the Divine Wisdom was never the author of it. 

As to sprinkling, instead of baptizing^ I cbssrved 
it was introduced by Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, by 
the suiFrage of the people, who, from the danger ar.d 
inconveniency, as he thought, of baptizing the sick, 
reasoned for their being sprinkled with water, instec d 
of being baptized ; and for sprinkling prisoners, Cv>n- 
verted in prison, for want of conveninency of w etc r 
to baptize them : and by degrees they brought it iiiio 
use for sick children, then for all children : and h_re 
is the true ground of sprinkling and baptizing children, 
introduced in times of lipostasy and blindness, and con- 
tinued among the Papists till the time of the Protestant 
Reform.ation \ when it appearing there was a great mix-^ 
ture of superstitious innovations, as salt, cream, spittle^ 
the sign of the cross, godfathers, &c. Some of them 
were removed, but in that time they could not or 
would not see, that infants are no subjects of baptism, 
nor sprinkling the mode of it ; or that the sign of the 
cross therein^ v/ith godfathers and vows, were not in 
A ^.% %v>Y 



282 LIFE OF 1719 

any institution of Christ, or practice of the^apostles : 
with all which the lady seemed fully to acquiesce, 
ov/ning freely, that sprinkling is not the mode, nor 
infants the subjecls of baptism. 

I went from Bath to Bristol, and was at several 
meetings there. On the I7th I went to the meeting 
at Clareham, where I met with George Bowles, an 
able minister of the gospel of Christ, who had come 
• down that way to visit friends, and the Lord was w'th 
us •, the doors were opened by the key of David^ both 
of utterance and entrance, so that we had a good mieet- 
ing. After this I was at other meetings in these parts, 
as Sidcot, Posset, &c. and went to Plymouth and Fal- 
mouth, from thence to Key, Austel, Leskard, arid 
many other places; and on the 3d of 10th month re- 
turned to Bristol, where I staid till the 4th of 12th 
month following, having m.any good opportunities a- 
mong friends, and often among people of other so- 
cieties, who usually came to our meetings on first days. 
From hence I went to London, and staid there vi- 
siting meetings in the city, and parts adjacent, till the 
16th of 7th month 1719 ; was also at the yearly meet- 
ing. A passage happened whilst i was in London, 
which I think proper to mention, as it fell out so 
much to my satisfaction. When the present Earl of 
Carlisle vv'^as a boy, he was at school in that city, where 
I was at the same time, which occasioned my being 
admitted into his acquaintance and favour ; and as I 
had then a strong affe£lion for him, it did not wear 
out in all this tra£i: of time ; so that I had an inclina- 
tion to see him, and speak with him, which I had not 
done in many years : accordingly taking Dr. Gilbert 
Heathcote in my company, partly to introduce me, 
he being physician to some of the family, and known 
to the Earl ; I went one morning to his lodgings in 
Greek-street. He received us respeftfully, though I 
was then become an untter stranger to him. After 
some occasional expressions between him and the Doc- 
tor, I being silent, and my mind inwardly exercised 

at 



1719 THOMAS STORY. 263 

at the same time, waiting a fit opportunity for matters 
of some other consequence, the Earl and I fell into 
discourse, part of which is as folio v/s. 

Mr. Story, said he, are you any ways related to 
the Storys of Cumberland ? Yes, I replied, Thomas 
Story of Justice-Town is my father. Did you know 
Mr. James Appleby, one of your friends, who lived 
on a farm of mine at Askerton ? Yes, very well. I 
have the bad news to tell you that he is lately dead; he 
was a good industrious man, and I think your people 
are generally sober and industrious, and few of you 
poor. We ought to be so, said I, for our principles 
lead us both to sobriety and industry. 

He replied, " The great end of the Christian re- 
ligion being to mortify and subdue the passions, ir- 
regular desires, and appeties of men, I see no people 
in the world come up to that as you do ; but cannot 
apprehend by what means you arrive at these attain- 
ments. No doubt, said I, but thou hast read the scrip- 
tures, and may^t remember what Christ said to his 
disciples a little before he suffered ; * It is expedient 
for you that I go av/ay ; for if I go not away, the 
Comforter will not come : but if I go away, I will 
pray the Father, and he shall send you another Com- 
forter, even the Spirit of Truth, v/hich the Father will 
send in my name ; f he shall lead you into ail truth, 
and bring all things into your rememberance, what- 
ever I have said unto you." Again, ^< I will not leave 
you comfortless ; I wnll come again unto you. Here is 
the Spirit of Truth promised, v/hich is no other than 
the Spirit of Christ , and is the same which was pro- 
mised of God by his prophet, where he saith, / wi/l 
give him a light to the Gentiles^ and a covenant tathe peo-^ 
pie. And as the Holy Scriptures elsewhere testify, 
He is that true lights ivhich lighteth every man that cometh 
into the %vorhL And of whom the apostle saith. Be- 
lieveth in the lights that ye may be children of the light ; 
and if children then heirs. 

" Now 

* John xvi. f Johfi xiv. 



264 LIFE OF 1719 

" Naw% though we, in and of ourselves, have been 
like other men, incident and subjeft to many fallings 
and weaknesses ; yet it being given us to believe ia 
the Lord Jesus, not only as be came in the flesh in 
that day, but also as he is the light of the world ; 
we do not only find that his spirit, as he said, reproved 
us for our sins, but is also becom.e our comforter and 
supporter, as we have repented and left them off; 
and according to his promise, by degrees leads into 
all the necessary truths of the gospel, and out of evil 
into righteousness; giving us also to experience the 
end of his m; nifesti.tion, the destruction o ihe works 
of the Devil, the mortification of our lusts, appetites 
and passions, and to be created anew to good works, 
through him our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: and 
what difference there is between us and other men, 
and in our present from our former state, it is the Lord 
thafhath done it, and not ourselves ; for we have no- 
thing to boast of, but the mercies of God in him. 

Then said the Earl, " If the spirit of Christ and Ifis 
light be all one, and that light be in all men, why does it 
not work the same e?ie£t in ail men ? why have I not 
power over my inclinations, as well as you over yours r" 
To which Dr. Heathcote said, " I was once in my 
time much given to wildness ; but when k pleased 
Qod, by the manifestation of his divine light, to con- 
vince me of the vanity of things I was in the practice 
of, and the error of my course of life ; through faith 
in this light, and obedience to its discoveries, I am 
now reformed, and got over those lusts and appetites 
of many kinds, Vv^hich once were over me ; and as I 
keep to that light, and not otherwise, I am daily pre- 
served : the true reason of mens being overcome by 
evil is, because they believe not in that divine mani- 
festation, which maniiests it to be evil, but go on to 
aO: the samie thmgs after they see them to he wrong. 
But as m.en leave off evil when they see it, through 
the power and virtue of the discoverer, then they 

have 



J 719 THOMAS STORY. 285 

have further manifestations of that light that discovers 
it, and greater power over their corruptions, till all 
be discovered, and all subdued. Then there is a lib- 
erty and enjoyment in the truth, which far exceeds all 
the enjoyments of this world, and a satisfaflion which 
nothing else can give : and therefore, if thou wouldst 
be rid of any thing thou finds amiss in thyself, thou 
must not a£i: again the same thing thou hast once seen 
to be evil, or else there can never be a reformation.'' 

Then the Earl said, " You are a very useful peo- 
ple in the nation, and, I think, deserve encourage- 
ment as well as any in it." 

After some other discourse, he enquired upon whats» 
ground we refused to pay tithes ; and queried whe- 
ther they were not commanded of God ? I said, ^^ We 
do not deny but that they were commanded of God ^ 
but they were made payable to the tribe of Levi, and 
located in the land of Canaan only, a country at the 
head of the Mediterranean sea, in Asia -, but by the 
coming of Christ, there is an end of that law by which 
tithes were given, and an end of that tribe, and the 
land now in the hands of the Turks ; so that the rea- 
son of the thing failing, the thing itself also fails : 
and since God, by the death of his Son, the great 
high priest and bishop of the soul, hath rejefted that 
tribe, and tliat service, and established a new one, to 
whom he hath said Freely ye have received^ freely give. 
We do not find he hath empowered any of the princes 
of the Gentiles to assign any maintenance for his 
ministers : but as they have been deceived by the sub- 
tility of the craft to impose upon mankind by laws on 
that account, so by that wisdom, which in due time 
will arise among them, they will yet be instrumental' 
to und"o v/hat they have done, and leave religion and 
the gospel on is own bottom \ which needs no other 
helper than its own author, or maintenance for its 
ministers, but what itself commands \ and they are 
really -such as labour with all their might to m.ake the 
^ gospel 



286 LIFE OF 1719 

gospel they preach without charge : so far are they 
from destroying the people for the maintenance of 
their bodies, that they have no other reason or induce- 
ment for what they do, but obedience to the calling 
of God, and the good of souls; whereas the end of hire- 
lings, though supported by law, is their own bellies." 

Well, said he, ^* You do not like our ministers; but 
after all, I think you want one thing to make you a 
very complete people ; that is, to bear arms." 

To this I answered, " As it was prophesied, that 
under the new covenant, they should heat their swords 
into plough-shares J and their spears into pruning-hoohs ; 
find that nation should not lift up siuord against nation^ nei- 
ther shall they learn ivar any more. So Christ being 
the mediator of that covenant, preached doftrines con- 
ducing to that end. Lc%)e your enemies ; do good to them 
that hate you ; pray for them that d&spitefully use you and 
persecute you* 

^' And to take away all suspicion of disloyalty to 
Caesar, or danger of the state from his kingdom (which 
was the pretence of the Jews against him) he said to 
Pontius Pilate, " My kingdom is not of thi^ world: for 
if my kingdom were of this worlds then would my ser^ 
V ants fight y that I should not be delivered to the Jews ; 
but my kingdom is not of this world. Here he declares 
his kingdom not to be of this world, being divine and 
spiritual, and that his servants will not fight, for it 
they love their enemies, they cannot fight wnth them 
(much less their friends) and if they do good to them 
that hate them, they cannot fight with them ; and if 
they pray for them that despitefully use them, and per- 
secute them, they are far from fighting with them. 
And this is to be remembered, that if they do not as 
Christ teacheth, they cannot be his disciples. For then 
are ye my friends or disciples indeed^ said the Lord, if ye 
do whatsoever I command you. 

^« Now Christ laying the foundation of such a king- 
dom, which is not of the world, though in the world, 

and 



1719 THOMAS STORY. 287 

and declaring his subjefts will not fight, it is in this 
kingdom, which is a kingdom of righteousness, truth, 
and peace, in which the prophecy before-mentioned 
is begun to be fulfilled ; and of this kingdom Christ 
himself, the Prince of righteousness and peace, is only 
king, ruler, and lawgiver ; and which no ways inter- 
feres with the kingdoms of this world: for as Ckristhim- 
self, being born a Jew, and they at that ime subjeft, in 
some sort, to the Romans, paid tribute to Cxsar, there- 
by giving an example to all his disciples, in all countries 
and states, and in all future age^, as well as that time ; 
so the disciples of Christ, though they may not fight, 
they pay taxes and tribute to civil states, as well by 
the example of their Loi"d and Master, as the doftrine 
of the apostle, in the 13th chapter to the Romans; 
where he sets forth clearly, that civil states and powers 
are of God, and that their end is, to be a terrar to evil 
doers^ and a praise to them that do well. Since then 
the kingdom of Christ is not of this world ; neither is 
it national, but spiritual: but God, by whom kings reign^ 
and prmces decree justice^ having ordained government 
and, rule, entrusts it with whom he pleases j and the 
temporal sv/ord, as well of civil magistracy, as mili- 
tary force, being in the hands of kings and rulers, to 
exercise as need shall be^ they, and not the disciples of 
Christ, must apply and admJnister accordingly, till by 
degrees the kingdom of Christ, the Prince of divine 
peace, have the ascendant over all kingdoms ; not by 
violence, for his servants can offer none \ net by mighty 
nor by power ^ hut by my spirit, saith the Lord. It will 
not be by human force or policy, but by convidtion ; 
not by violence, but consent, that the kingdoms of this 
"world will become the kingdoms of God, and of his Christ : 
nor will the kingdoms and powers in this world ever 
cease -, (being God's ordinance in natural and civil af- 
fairs) till the reason of them cease ; that is, till all vio- 
lence and injustice cease, and evil-doing come to an 

end 



288 LIFE OF 1719 

end, by the advancement of truth, righteousness, love 
and peace, over all nations ; which is the true end of 
die coming of the Lord Jesus, and nature of his king- 
dom here on earth : so that as the kingdom of Christ 
can offer no other violence to the kingdoms or states 
of men, than that of love and truth, and his subjefts 
may not fight, but pay taxes, customs, tribute, fear, 
and honour to all kings, powers, and states, in all na- 
tions where they are chosen of God out of the world 
to serve him, and bear testimony to his name ; neither 
Jew nor Greek, BarlDarian, Mahometan, Infidel, or 
nominal Christian, can have any reasonable jealousy of 
the true Christian, whose pradVice is according to the 
do6l:rine and commandments of his Lord and Master 
Christ Jesus: and whosoever falls short of that, ceases 
to be his disciple, and reverts to the world." 

To this effeft I answered the Earl, who heard me 
with great patience and candour 5 and then replied, 
^^ It is true, so long as you behave peaceably, are loyal 
to the government, and pay your taxes, as you do, I 
think, v/hen all is done, there is not an absolute ne- 
cessity for your personal service in war, since his ma- 
jesty may always have soldiers enough for money, as 
lie may have occasion." 

Some tim.e being spent in what I have related, and 
things seeming to sit well on this great man's mind, 
I was willing to withdraw ; and rising upon my feet, 
I said to him, " Considering thy station and resort, we 
may trespass on thy time, which may be necessarily 
employed on publick services ; but if I might have 
liberty to wait on thee at leisure times, I do not doubt 
to m.ake all these points we have gone upon, and 
all others wherein we diff'er from other professors of 
Christianity, very clear in favour of our profession ; 
and that the same thing, which now goes under the 
reproacliful name of Quakerism and error, is no 
other than primitive and improved Christianity." To 
which he replied, " I shall be glad to see you at any 

convenient 



1719 THOMAS STORY. 289 

convenient time, my hour is about nine or ten in the 
morning ; and if I should happen to be indisposed, or 
otherwise engaged, I will let you know it, and expe6t 
you another time." Which accepting as a favour, I 
mentioned, " that a friend of mine, who had some- 
times waited on him to solicit his assistance for relief 
of our friends, requested me to present him a book, 
being one of Robert Barclay's Apology, and if he 
pleased to read it over with attention, I hoped it would 
give him some more satisfa6rion, both concerning the 
principles we believe and suffer for, and our writings." 

He readily received the book, and said, I will pe- 
ruse it. After saying a few words more to him, we 
departed with great satisfa£lion. 

I left London on the day before-mentioned, and 
that evening lodged at Ruscomb, at the widovv^ Penn s. 
On the 18th of 7th month I was at Reading, and af- 
ter at other places in my way to Bath, where I came 
on the 2d of 8th month. I staid here some time, and 
was at several meetinc^s, vrhich were lar^^e and satis- 
fa£lory. Many of the nobility and gentry came, so 
that sometimes the house could not hold them. On 
a first day in the afternoon the m.eeting was very large, 
several of the nobility of both sexes being present. 
Good part of w^hat I had to say was concerning the 
creed, <^ commonly called the apostles, and the inter- 
pretation of *it ; some things concerning the state of 
both Jews and Gentiles at the coming of Christ; the 
gross idolatry of the latter, and apostasy of the for- 
mer ; and that great part of the supposed Christian 
world now at this day is under great idolatry •, in- 
stancing, the worship of a piece of bread, or a wafer, 
in the Romish church, and the inconsistency of tran- 
substantiation with sense and reason, both which ought 
to be used in the Christian religion, and helped and 
improved : but speaking also against Deism (so much 
at this day prevailing) I said. Reason is not to be the 
sole guide of man, but the light and spirit of Christ ; 

B b which 



290 LIFE OF r7i9 

which being above reason, and the true illuminator 
and refiifier thereof, is the sure and unerring guide 
unto all that believe and truly follow him." The 
Lord's truth was over all, in the demonstration of his 
v/isdom and power, to his own glory, and many were 
sensible of it. The meeting held near three hours, till 
it began to be duskish ; aiid I was concerned in testi- 
mony about two hours and an half : and though m.any 
of the quality, as well as others, stood m.ost of the 
time, I did not observe any of them express any wea- 
riness or other di^Jike. 

On th'e 29th I had a full open meeting in a large 
nev.r meeting-hx>use of the General Baptists at Froom, 
which tbey readily lent us for that occasion, our own 
place beirjg too small to accommodate the number ex- 
l^CL^ed. The -subjeil was God's universal free grace, 
thi'ough Christ, unto all people : and I do not remem^ 
ber 1 v/as ever m.ore fully or clearly opened upon it, ' 
The meeting being over, as I ccmie out of th^ pew, an 
•ancient grave wcman asked me this question ; " If 
Chris: died for all, Vv^hy were not all saved, since there 
could be no insufiiciency in the blood of Clirist to an- 
sv/er the end proposed ?" I said in reply, *^ That if 
she had taken good heed to the whole of what was 
said in the meeting, t^iis point had been made very 
pl^in and clear to her understanding; but since sh^ 
had not, I further added, There is no insufficiency in 
the oSering-or offerer, but in mankind, that do not be- 
lieve and obey : For this is the condemnciiion of the worlds 
that ihcy have not believed in the onlj begotten oon of God*^ 
Again, / a?n the light of the %uor!dy (said Christ the 
LorH^ luhoscever followeth tne^ shall not abide i?i darkness. 

And again. This is the condemnation of the nvorldy that 
light is come into the luorld ; but men loved darkness ra- 
ther than I'ghty because their deeds are evil. And further. 
Whatsoever things are reproved y are made manifest by the 
light ; for 'whatsoever makes manifest^ is light. 



1719 THOMAS STORY. 291 

All this U said of Christ, who Is that one propitia- 
tion for the siuj not only of the apostles, and " those 
that had already believed, but also for the sins of the 
whole world, Vv^ho at that time had not yet believed,. 
but were still in unbelief-; which offering being on 
God's part, in discharge of his promises before by his 
prophets ; the way that the promises become effectual 
to us is, to believe in this light, that we may be the 
children of God in him.; and Urst believing in this 
light, and walking in him, (that is, in obedience to 
Ids manifestations and discoveries) then the blood of 
Christ cleanseth from all sin, and the promises are so 
applied ; but the unbelieving and disobedient are un- 
der condemnation still, rejefting him, the light of the 
Gentiles, in whom the covenant is, and who is that 
covenant, and is altogether sufficient and complete iu 
himself, though we may fall by our own negle£t." 

This answer she received, and v/as silent, going away 
with signs of respeft. 

On the 3ist I went to Bristol, and staid there some 
weeks. I had some open times among them in the 
love of truth, the visitation whereof is towards them. 
Many important truths were opened ; and the way of 
Satan's temptations in the thoughts and imaginations 
of mankind exposed to the meanest capacities ; the 
necessity of regeneration, by the holy convincing 
povv-er and spirit of the Lord Jesusy v/as inculcated 
and enforced ; using all decent plainness with them 
concerning their present state : and as it was in the 
love of truth, they received it in the sam.e ground : 
my ministry reaching to their understandings, and not 
their affections only, I hope it may be serviceable to 
many of them ; though there have been appearances 
among them of such, who know not their own spirits, 
or ground of their ministry ; which gives no testimony 
for truth, nor ascends higher than its own fountain, 
begetting harsh ideas like itself^ but nothing that is 
sweet and lovely. 

Oti 



292 LIFE OF 17 W 

On the 22d of 10th month I departed thence, leav- 
ing them in mutual love and friendship , and next day 
I was at a meeting at Glastonbury, and on the 25th at 
Grinton. Our friend Philip Watts, landlord of the 
parish, of a considerable estate, being in Ivelchester 
prison for non-payment of church-rates (so called) by 
the prosecution of an ill-natured person in the neigh- 
bourhood, and, I suppose, one of his own tenants, 
who, being instigated and supported by some of the 
members of the ecclesiastical court at Wells, an old 
antichristian engine of oppression upon mankind, had 
been thus mischievous and wicked j v/hich our friend 
bore with Christian patience, though separated from 
the comforts of his new m.arried wife and family, and 
necessary concerns of life : all which I was concerned 
to take some notice of that day in my testimony, which 
was very open in the love of truth to the faithful. 

After this I had meetings at divers other places in 
Hampshire and Dorsetshire ; and on the 30th came to 
Salisbury : the next day, being first of the week, I 
was at their meetings ; in the forenoon meeting I was 
greatly comforted in silence, and had an open time In 
testimony : in the afternoon the place was crowded 
with different sorts of people, the controversy being 
then warm about the Trinity, and some willing to hear 
what miglit be said relating to it : but I rather set forth 
Christ the " light of the Gentiles, and objeft of faith 
that way; exhorting all to a holy life, and to the 
keeping of the commandments of God ; Christ setting 
himself forth as an exam. pie that way, saying, *' If ye 
keep my commandments^ ye shall abide in my love, as I 
have kept tny Father's commandments^ a?jd abide in his 
love. That keeping Christ's commandments is a ne- 
cessary consequence of loving him ; and without keep- 
ing his comm^andments, all profession of discipleship 
is vain. If any 7nan love 711 e, he <uuill heep my command* 

* John XV. ic. 

ments ; 



]ri9 THOMAS STORY. i>93 

litems ; and my Father %vUl love him^ and we %vili come 
and make our abode with him. In that day ye shall hno%v 
that I am in my Father y and you in me^ and I in you.^* 
Again, " * He that saithy I know hiniy and hee^th not 
his commandments J is a liar^ and the truth is not in hin:. 
And seeing this is life eternal to kno%v the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent ; and that know- 
ledge is not to be acquired, but as God pleases to 
make himself known, it is better to wait humbly upon 
God for this knowledge, to be experimental witnesses 
of his presence in the Son of his love, than to have any 
notions of him, other than what he gives; since no 
man can form any true idea of him, or is he any thing 
to any man, but what he himself pleases. But as he 
is declared to be love to all his humble, faithful, and 
obedient children, and a consuming lire to the un- 
godly, it is better we all labour so to behave and de- 
m.ean ourselves to him, and one to another, as to 
escape his wrath, and abide in his love, than by un- 
warrantable curiosities, and neglect of cur duty, to 
provoke his displeasure. 

" The sum of religion is to love God with all the soidy 
and with all the strength y and one another in him.y with- 
out which all speculations are vain." These, with 
many other truths of the gospel, w^ere freely, and with 
good authority opened in that meeting, to general sa- 
tisfaction . 

On the 1st and 3d of 12th month I had meetini^s 
at Romsey and Southampton, which were but smal', 
little notice having been given to the neighbours, and 
as they were sparing that way, so the Lord was sparing 
to them., for we had a poor time, though some v/ere 
alive. 

From, hence I went to the Isle of ¥\^ight, and had 
meetings at Gowes and Newport, many people carr.e 
to the meeting at Newport, and were disturbing, so 

* I John ij. 4. 

Bb2 tlnr. 



294. LIFE OF 1719 

that I had occasion, after the meeting was ended, to 
reprove them, and said, " They were a reproach to 
-gbvernment, a shame to their parents, a scandal to 
their teachers, and a grief to the honest-hearted. I 
added, that the teachers among the first reformed 
Protestants, used to catechise the youth of their pro- 
fession every first day, by which some impressions of 
rehgion were made early in their minds. But as many 
of those nov/ in this nation, mind little else than to 
seek their gain from their quarters, their hearers were 
too generally become brutish, and so far from religion, 
that they were belov/ a moral education." Some of 
the sober sort said, there was too much in it to be de- 
nied ; and blamed one another as they passed in the 
streets. 

On the 8th I passed over to Portsmouth, where we 
had a meeting •, from hence 1 went to Gosport, Port- 
chester, Alsford, Alton, Godalming, and Guilford, 
and had meetings. On the 19th I went to Darking, 
where we had a large meeting, though there are but 
few friends^ many things of moment" were opened 
among them, and with good authority *, coming close 
upon such as secretly are convinced of the way of 
truth, but for reasons relating to this world will not 
own it ; especially in these texts, and some short com- 
ments upon them, viz. * He that denieth me before metiy 
him ivill I also deny before niy Father a fid the holy angels ; 
and he that confess eth me before rnen^ him will 1 also con- 
fess before my Father arid the holy angels, f He that re- 
Q'eiveth you^ rccelveth me ; and he that receive th me^ re- 
ctfiveth him that sent m.e, 

^^ X With the heart man believeth imto right eousnesSj 
a7id with the month confession is made unto salvation. It. 
is not therefore sufficient that a man be inwardly, and 
secretly convinced of the truth, and way of it, or to 
know who are the people of God, and yet not own it 

* Luke xii. t Matt. x. 40. . 4 ^^W* ^- ^^' 

openly \ 



1722 THOMAS STORY. 295 

openly ; but as the unbelieving are excluded^ so also 
the fearful ; and neither father, mother, wife, or chil- 
dren, hous^es or lands, oxen or farms, liberty or life, 
are to be preferred to the calling of God ; since Chrisl: 
has told his disciples from the beginning what they 
must expeft in this world for his name's sake, if they 
believe in him, and follow him fully. And, as igno- 
rance will be no excuse in the day of the Lord, and 
the unbelieving are condemned already ; so it will be 
no plea m the day of the Lord, for any to say, I did 
not believe these were thy ministers, or these the truths 
of thy gospel, which I heard them declare; or that thy 
light and grace, they witnessed unto. Since, this is 
the condemnation of the world, that they have not be- 
lieved in the only begotten Son of God, who hath de- 
clared himself to be the light of the v/orld ; and his 
servants have witnessed, that he is that true light 
luh'tch lighteth every man that cometh into the vjorld^ that 
all men through him might believe." I staid here till 
the 2ist ; and after being at a meeting at Street Cob- 
ham, I proceeded to London, where I staid some 
time.* 

On the 25th of 3d month, 1722, I v/ent from Lon- 
don, accompanied by Benjamin Holmes, and came 
that night to Chelmsford, from thence we v/ent to 
Coggeshall and Colchester, to the quarterly meeting, 
and after to Woodbridge, Ipsvvdch, Needham, Bury, 
and Miiner, taking the meetings. 

On the 13th of 4th month I had a meeting appoint- 
ed at Cambridge, to which many of the scholars of the 
university came, there was good suitable matter for 
them ; but alas ! they were so wild, so airy, wanton, 
and foolish, that not many of them could be touched , 
yet several of them, in time, grew more solid and at- 
tentive ; and, I believe, the arrows of the Almighty 

* N. B. In this interval no ti;an5a(5lion is mentioned necessary to be 
inserted in this abrislgment. 

did 



2^S LIF£1>? 1722 

did not miss them all. O that they had been still but 
one hour ! for the advantage which might have accrued 
to them by the excellent openings I had that day, 
through the grace of God, The I4th, being their 
meeting day, I staid the meeting, which consisted 
only of a very fev/ friends, who live there, and two 
or three of the neiglibourhood who came in ; it was 
sober and comfortable. From hence I v/ent to Wal- 
den, Royston, Ware, and divers other meetings in 
Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. On the 6th of 
5th month I was at Wickham, where the meeting was 
large and very open, the power of the blessed truth 
reigning triumphantly, aiid the meeting generally 
broken and comfort :d. I left an exhortation with 
them to keep up their testimony faithfully against the 
payment of tithes, that gi^eat support of antichristian 
priestcraft. The next day I went to Oxford, where 
there are few of our society, besides Thomas Nichols 
and his family : but the scholars come much m.ore to 
meetings of late, than for many years past, and are 
not so rude as heretofore : being first day of the week, 
many came to the meeting in the forenoon ; and in 
the afternoon it v/as very full, botli of scliolars, and 
other pec'ple of both sexes ^ most of the scholars were 
solid and attentive, and staid the meeting, there being 
but little lightness at all among them ; so that we had 
a large, open, comfortable meeting : and, by the ex- 
ercise of my own mind, the doiSlrines I had to deliver, 
and tlie love of truth attending, 1 hope there was some 
good done that day, to tlie Lord be the praise, v/hose 
work alone it is to save ^ wheiher immediately or in- 
strumentally, it is tlie Lord's ! I was after this at 
Witney, Burford, Milton, Cirencester, Tedbury, Pains- 
wick, Nailsworth, Sedbury ; in some of these meet- 
ings a drowsiness appeared to the hindrance of the 
worship of God. 

On the 20th of 5th miOnth I was again at their m^eet- 
ing at Nailsworth, which v/as large and labcricus, the 

more 



1722 THOMAS STORY. 297 

more so because most of them were a young people, 
hardly convmced, and of little knowledge of truth as 
it is in Christ Jesus ; yet sober, as men, and hopeful. 
On the 22d I went to Bristol, and it being near the 
time of the fair, staid on purpose to attend the meet- 
ings, which are then usually larger than at other times j 
here I had very open service for the Lord, his truth, 
and people. 

On the 8th of 6th month I was at the meeting at 
Frenchay, which was open and comfortable, returning 
to Bristol, I staid till the 18th, and then went to the 
burial of a friend at Thornbury. On the 26th was at 
the meeting at Claverham, which was pretty large, 
consisting m.ostly of young people, not yet much bap- 
tized into the nature of truth, which made my exercise 
for them the harder. 

On the 27th I went to Chewmagna, on a visit to 
my ancient and much esteemed friend, the widow 
Elizabeth Vickris, I having been in my early time well 
acquainted in that family. On the 29th I went to 
Sidcot meeting, and after that to Bridgwater and Wel- 
lington •, and on the 6th of 7th month was at Spice- 
land meeting, where we had a good season together 
in Christ Jesus our Lord, though some sh?irp things 
were uttered, in the authority of truth, to some states, 
especially the drowsy, sleepy, lukewarm, and indolent, 
who take up a false rest in that unhappy state, to the 
danger of their utter ruin, after many years fruitless 
profession of the truth. On the 7th I v/as at Collomp- 
ton, and that night lodged at Thomas Finnimore's, 
where came Thomas Beavan, from Melsham, who fa- 
voured us with the reading of his manuscript, ^^ pro- 
ving that reason in man, and divine truth, are dlstin6t 
things ; though too many people, of divers denomina- 
tions, some among ourselves not excepted, are ready 
to mistake one for the other, and establish their own 
reason, instead of divine truth ; the spirit of man, 
with Ills fallacious reasonings, (in which is endless 

wranglingSij 



2SS LIFE 0? ltt>2 

wrangHiigs, imcertainty, and confusion) instead of the 
Spirit t)f the Lord Jesus Christ j which leadeth man 
into all rii;hteousness and truth, with demonstrative 
certainty and undoubted assurance, which man s own 
reasoning, without the light of truth, could never do \ 
more than the eye can see without the medium of 
lij^ht, though its faculty of seeing (in itself) be ever so 
perfea." 

On the 8th we went to Exeter^ to the yearly meet- 
ing, which began the next day: this meeting was ap- 
pointed by consent of the yearly meeting in London, 
and intended for the more eiTe£tual promulgation of 
truth in the several counties to which it was confined, 
like those in the north, not m.eddling with matters of 
business or discipline, but only worship, doftrine, and 
occ.isional communication of holy things. " It was a 
good time throughout, but, as such meetings gene- 
rally are observed to be, was brighter and brighter, 
and brightest in the end : for as they consist of a 
mixed multitude, of different degrees and notions, the 
understandings of the uncouth and ignorant are dark- 
est at first coming, and their senses benum»bed ; but as 
they come to be illuminated by the testim.ony of truth, 
and their senses a little av/akened to relish something 
of the sweetness and virtue of it, truth then fiovvS 
more freely unto them, with a greater facility in the 
minister, and reception in the hearer ; and the sensi- 
ble and living, (who, in the life of the Son, and as they 
stand reh-ted to him, who beareth the infirmities of all 
from the foundation of the world) in the beginning cf 
such meetin[.*;s5 are often deeply and m.ysteriously 
loaden ; but being eased of their burthen and travaij, 
now laid upon those in X^vj^ auditory, where it rightly 
belongs, things then proceed, and conclude to the mu- 
tual comfort and ease; which was much the case in 
tills meeting, for the most part consisting of a young 
uncultivated sort of our own natural offspring, and 
others^ who were strangers to the verbal testimony of 

truth ; 



722 THOMAS STORY. 299 

truth ; yet there was a living people^ and ministry 
?.mong us -, and, as the crown of all, the presence of 
the everlasting Lord God, in s^ne good degree, bless- 
ed our assembly. And the meeting of ministers on 
the second day morning, was most eminently favour- 
ed with it, to our mutual help and encouragement." 

On the ISth the quarterly meeting for the county 
of Som.erset was there, 'and well filled with good 
friends : " The Lord gave me an open utterance at 
that time, and a free reception to my satisfaction, and 
the hearts of friends were freely opened in the same ; 
for he who openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth 
and no m.an openeth, and who had and hath the key of 
David, was there, and blessed us together in one name, 
unto which we bowed, and in which we worshipped 
and adored him, who liveth, and reigneth, and is wor- 
thy for evermore ! Our spirits being thus refreshed 
in the presence of the Lord, the concerns of the meet- 
ing for business were carried on and finished with 
unity and comfort." On the 1 5th I set forward for 
Bridgewater, and in the way my horse taking fright, 
by suddenly meeting a man leading a dog, he turned 
round at once, and run back with heady fury, so that 
I could by no means stop him, but was at length 
thrown off, and pretty miuch hurt ; hov/ever I got to 
Bridgewater, and attended a mieeting there the follow- 
ing day, in the evening, which was large, and the 
whole service of it (as to an outward ministry) falling 
upon me, I was not sensible of any deficiency pr weak- 
ness from all my bruises •, but as the Lord was pleased 
to work in and by me in a good degree, affording heal- 
ing virtue by the same power, I was from that time 
little sensible of any danger, but recovered far beyond 
my own expeftation, or that of others. After being 
at Marks and Claverham, I went to Bristol, where 
friends were glad of my return, and escape of so great 
danger ; I was also glad to find them in peace and 
Ipve. I staid here till the 26th, having 8on[ie as open 

times 



^00 LIFE OF 1722 

times as ever I knew in this place, to general satisfac- 
tion, as well as my own great consolation : my testi- 
mony tending, in the main, to a visitation of the love 
of truth to the young generation ! many of them 
being touched with a sense of the Lord's goodness 
therein. 

I went from hence to Bath, where I attended the 
;>er\ace of truth for some time, many of the nobility 
;and gentry frequenting our meetings. On the 18th 
of 9th month 1 was at Bradford, and after at several 
other meetings in Wiltshire, and at Newbury, Read- 
ing, Maidenhead. And on the 4th of 10th month 
had a meeting, in the evening, at Windsor, a great 
many of the town's people coming in : ^* and as we 
were often concerned to declare the universal love of 
God to mankind, so about this time, as before, I felt 
much of it, even a dispensation of it to the people in 
most places; and many great and necessary truths 
were declared, as the Lord opened, on that occasion, 
w'ith good authority, and clear proofs out of the holy 
scriptures, both of the prophets, and also of the apos- 
tles of Christ. The gravity of truth was over and 
upon the people ; and they departed from the place, 
when the meeting was over, under a grave and solid 
concern. And the Lord gave me great peace, as a 
full reward in that work, blessing me as a co-worker 
with himself (the great master-workman) therein.'* 
On the .5th I went to Jordan week-day meeting, which 
was but small, most of the ancients, who were once 
numerous there, being deceased, and their reward sure 
for ever ! That evening I returned to Windsor, and 
was ?x the week-day meeting there the next day ; the 
meeting ended about mid-day. I went that afternoon 
to Staines, where 1 fell in with their meeting, which 
is usually in the evening -, and as they had heard of 
my intentions that way, they had given notice to some 
of the neighbours, and the meeting was larger than 
usual, and very open, much beyond my expedlation. 

^^But 



1723 THOMAS STOPvY. SOI 

** But the goodness of the Lord is boundless, and the 
treasures of his wisdom not to be searched out or ex- 
hausted, which he freely dispenses, and opens, when 
and where and in what manner and degree he pleases, 
to the purposes of his own glory and good of souls : 
some renewed instances oi" it were here witnessed, to 
the afFe£ling many with his goodness, to his own 
praise, who is worthy of all dominion, praise, and 
thanks for evermore !" 

The day following I went to London, where I met 
with a kind reception from friends in general, and 
great openness in several meetings among them, in 
which the Lord gave evidence of his presence and 
pov/er with me in his service, as at many other times 
it had so pleased him. I continued here visiting the 
meetings, and was at some places adjacent till the 4th 
of 2d month, 1723, when I set forward for Chester, 
,( where the meeting h.?A been appointed for this year) 
and arrived there on the 8th : the meeting was very 
large, and great openness to the people, as well as 
friends •, for the universal love of God, tiirough Jesus 
Christ our Lord to mankind, was not only preached, 
but in some mxcasure enjoyed among us I At the last 
meeting there w^as about three thousand, and, by the 
goodness of the Lord, preserved in good order. On 
the 12th I went to Wrexham., from thence to Shrews- 
bury, and was at the meetings there on first day ; the 
same evening I v/ent to Prestane, on the border of 
Wales, in order to that yearly meeting, which began 
the day following -, people came from mxany places 
round, and it was a very large meeting ; many gospel 
truths w^ere opened^ by the grace of God, therein -, 
and the truth, in some good degree, was in dominion 
over the people. After this I w^ent to Lemster, Wor- 
cester, Evesham, and Oxford, from thence to London, 
where I staid some time, having divers of my own 
concerns to order, as v/ell as those of others, and 
likewise visited the meetings, till the 7th of 9th month, 

C c when 



302 LIFE OF 1725 

when I set forward for Cumberland ; and taking meet- 
ings in the way, came to Justice Town, the place of 
my nativity, on the 16th of 10th month. 

I remained in this country about two years, and was 
at the yearly meeting for the northern counties at Car- 
lisle ; and with John Irwin and some other friends, 
had meetings at fresh places in the summer following, 
likewise attended meetings as they fell in course in 
the county ; and was at the yearly meeting held at 
Kendal in the year 1725, which was the largest I ever 
saw there, and very open. Having some concerns 
with the Lord Lonsdale, I went to Lowther Hall, 
where he then resided, to attend him therein ; he 
shewed me more respeft than 1 desired or expe<9:ed ; 
and, after I had finished my busineas with h-m, he 
moved some discourse on religious subjefts, tlie chief 
of which was, the knowledge of God, and by what 
means mankind may arrive at it •, in which I v/as 
drav/n out to this purpose : " That many wise and in- 
genious men apply themselves, with success, to the 
knowledge of things in this life, and what is relating 
thereto, and yet keep not within the strift rules of vir- 
tue, for want of which their knowledge vanishes in 
the end, as not subservient to the purposes of another 
world : therefore I recommended to a real enquiry af- 
ter the knowledge of God, as the most noble, and 
most profitable subjeft a rational being could be con- 
cerned about, and altogether necessary, in order to our 
happiness, as well in this as in a future state ; which 
man can never arrive at by the utmost efforts of human 
reason ; for, though such who are endued with reason 
cannot deny there is a God from the works of crea- 
tion, wliich produced not themselves, but were pro- 
duced by another ; and must conclude the Creator to 
be eternal, vrithout beginning or end, all-wise, all- 
knowing, all-powerful, omnipresent, holy, righteous, 
just, and good, in all divine perfections unchangeable. 
And though in all these attributes we read of him in 

th© 



V12& THOMAS STORY. SOS 

the Holy Sciptures, and hear clear discourses of him 
irequently made by such as say they know him, and,, 
perhaps in some measure may •, yet all this is but an 
image of knowledge^ as to us, until by the agency of 
his own power and will, he is pleased to work in us 
such qualifications as whereby we may perceive him., 
through that holy and blessed medium which he him- 
self hath, in good will to mankind, provided to that 
end ; that we may believe in him, hope for him, know 
him, have communion with him in a degree in this 
life, and be for ever blessed in the enjoyment of him 
in a future state : of which knowledge no man can 
rightly conceive by any thing another can say, who 
hath that knowledge, unless he to whom it is said, or 
declared, be in him-self in some degree, under the 
.same qualifications^ by which the things declared, are 
self-evidencing by their own nature and energy : as for 
example, to a man born blind, another can find no 
terms whereby to give him a proper and distinct idea 
of colours^ of light, and the manner of the discovery 
of obje£ls by that medium unto those that see ; where- 
as every one that hath the use of his sight, concludes 
the same thing by a kind of sensitive Intuition, at first 
view, without the expence of ratiocination, or dedu- 
cing conclusions from stated premises : nor, if we can 
suppose any one has never in -his life been touched 
With any sense of that natural affeclion, or principle 
we call love ; is it possible, by any terms that may be 
used, to inculcate in such a person an idea of the thing? 
whereas all who experience it, are alTecled in the same 
manner, though perhaps not to the same degree, and 
need no other terms but itself to inculcate it. 

'^ Since then, in natural things, it is impossible to 
exhibit proper ideas to the apprehensions of those who 
are deprived of natural qualifications and capacities to 
receive them ; how much more so in spiritual, which 
cannot fi.nd out proper terms by which to exhibit them 
to the view or apprehension of others, but as we bor- 
row 



304< LIFE OF in^ 

row them from natural things, which can never reach 
them as they are : when it is said, God is a Spirit, 
A man must have an idea of a spirit, before he can fix 
any notion of God by that term; and by the word 
God^ we intend to express an awful and ineffable Be- 
ing : but none of these terms exhibit that Being to our 
sense, either in fear or love. I come then to some 
positive expressions of Christ, viz. No man hath known 
the Father but the Son, and to luhomsoever the Son ivill 
reveal him. This is life eternal to kno^co thee the only true 
God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. No man 
can come wito me, except the Father, which hath sent me, 
draw him. No man hath seen God at any time ; the only 
begotten (or first begotten) Son of God, who dwelleth in 
the bosom of the Father^ he hath manifested (or revealed) 
himr 

By this it appears, First, "That God may be known, 
though not immediately, but by a proper medium. 
Second, That this medium is Christ, the word of God ; 
who having a reasonable soul, and clothed therewith 
as a veil, is homogenial to mankind, and thereby pro- 
- portions the splendor of his glory, as God, to the 
state of every soul, gradually revealing or rnanifestmg 
the Father therein, according to the degrees of purifi- 
cation, capacity, and qualification he v/orketh in it. 
Third, That this knowledge is an experience, and 
gives the soul a certain evidence and assurance of eter- 
nal life ; and God himself is that eternal life. Fourth, 
That as the knowledge of the Son makes way for the 
knowledge of the Father, so the drawings of the Fa- 
ther excite to the knowledge of the Son. It is not 
therefore the knowledge of God's attributes, or ail 
formal truths, but of God himself, who is the essen- 
tial truth, in v/hich our happiness stands, and for ever 
shall remain : for there are essential truths, and there 
are formal truths -, Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God 
and power of God, is that essential truth ; and that 
he is the Son of God, was incarnate, lived as a man 

here 



1125 THOMAS STORY, 305 

here on earth, was crucified as a propitiation for the 
sins of the whole world, died, rose again, ascended, 
is glorified in heaven, &c. are all formal unalterable 
truths ; and yet the knowledge of these do not give 
life eternal, until the soul comes to experience the 
indwelling of the essential truth, in its nature and be- 
in^, through that holy and blessed medium, homoge- 
nial unto all ; which cannot be until we are reduced 
unto a state of holiness and purity of mind. There- 
fore to illustrate all I have said in a praftical way, 
give me leave to add, Whilst I was in a natural and 
unconverted state, I believed the being of God, and 
all his attributes ; but I did not aftualiy know God 
to be righteous or holy, till he reproved unrighteous- 
ness or unholiness in me ; or merciful and goodj until 
through condemnation of evil, convincing me of evil 
in myself, he also pardoned the a£ls of sin, and de-- 
stroyed the effects thereof by the agency of his own 
power, working that change, which is meet, accord- 
ing to his own will, through which I experience both 
his goodness and mercy. Nor had I known him as a 
-- consuming fire, unless by the refining opevaticii of hi> 
Spirit, he had consumed my corruptions, or begun 
that work; or, that he is love, divine, unspeakable 
love, unless by his own power, he had fitted me, in 
some measure, to enjoy the influences of his grace, in 
a state of holiness^ in which he rules, as a mcnv.^h 
in the soul, according to that saying. The hingd-^^^i o ' 
heaven sta^ids not in meats and drinks (no outward o. 
natural enjoyments) bnt in righteousness a?id pcace^ and 
joy hi. the Holy Ghost ; which I know, through grace,. 
infinitely transcends, even in this life, all that can be 
named besides. And though formal truths are ccai-- 
monly clouded and confounded by the perverse and 
ignorant reasonings of the learned of this world, and 
numerous opinions and se£ls are produced thereby ; 
yet the essential truth is self-evidencing; and when- 
ever it appears in the soul, she cannot deny or doubt ; 

C c 2 bu: 



:^06 LIFE of 1725 

but, by the cogency of his power and virtue, certainly 
and infallibly conclude in herself, that this is he : for 
as there is no way or medium by which we perceive 
the body of the sun in the firmament of heaven out- 
ward, but by the light which proceeds from it, so 
there is not any medium by which we can know God, 
but by his own light and truth, which is Jesus Christ, 
the efflux and emxanation of his ov/n glory and being. 

*^ And as the light of the sun carries along with it 
the power and virtue of the sun, wherever it shineth, 
in its unclouded rays, and, by its influence, nourishes 
and makes fertile the animal and vegetable worlds ; 
even so, and much more also, doth the heavenly Son 
of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, the essential truth 
and light of the rational and intelle£lual M^orld, make 
known and manifest himself in the soul j into whom 
(by the rriys of his divine light) he introduceth and dis- 
penseth the influence of all divine and heavenly virtue 
into them. I mean, who believe and obey in the day 
of small things •, according to that do£trine of an ex- 
perienced holy man : ^ jili thi/igs that.m-e reproved^ are 
made manifest by the light ; for ivhatsoever doth make 
manfest^ is light. And according to that saying of the 
"^i ruth himself, f 1 am the light of the world ; he that 
follo%veth mey shall not walk in darkness y but shall have 
the light of life. We must therefore begin at the word 
of reproof, in order to the sure knowledge of God, 
and enjoyment of him, as he is love, and an ocean of 
unspeakable pleasure ^ and renounce the low and sor- 
did pleasures of the animal life, which unqualify for 
divine enjoyments here and hereafter. But love God, 
love his judgments rind reproofs, which are all in love, 
-in order to the manifestation of himself, agreeably to 
his own declaration. Every son whom I love I rebuke 
and chasten. And I can testify, that as I have tasted 
of the pleasures of this world, and, through the good- - 

* Ephes. V. 13* t John viii. 1%. 

ness 



1725 THOMAS STORY. 30T 

ness of God, known condemnation therein; so, through 
his great mercy, I am favoured of him with this cer- 
tain experience, in some measure, that the enjoyment 
of God, in a state of reconcihation, is undeclarably 
more excellent and eligible than all other things-, to the 
experience whereof I would recommend — — " Af- 
ter I had said thus much. 

The Lord Lonsdale asked me, " Since you had (be- 
fore you came to the knowledge of God in the way^ 
you have spoken of) believed the being of God, and 
all his attributes, did that knowledge make any alter- 
ation in your way of thinking on that subjeft, or give 
you any contrary sentiments that way ?" I replied, 
^^ No ; for as reason, a constituent property of man, 
is still the same, and things causeable thereto or there- 
by, as its proper objects, the same also ; so the know- 
ledge of God makes no alteration there, though rea- 
son of itself can never give the saving and experi- 
mental knowledge of the Almighty, as I have before 
observed." 

Then he was pleased to say, ^* Some things you 
have hinted at are new to me, which I have never 
read of in any book, or heard before." Thus the con- 
versation at that time cam.e to a conclusion, there be- 
ing only one person besides myself and the Lord Lons- 
dale present. Upon- another like occasion, after this, 
1 had som.e further discourse with the same person on 
the subject of tithes. ' He alledged, ^' That kings and 
great men, being possessed of countries, and large 
quantities of land, gave the tenths to the support of 
ministers ; and the same laws which gave nine parts^ 
to the laity, gave the tenth to the clergy." 

To this I reph^d, -" That the law gives no property, 
but protects the possessor in it against violence." Then 
I deduced property from its original thus : " The first 
property a man hath is his person, life, and liberty ; 
and as these are from God, and the right of all men, 
so he has provided means for the support of them, un- 
to 



SOS LIFE OF 1^25 

to all. The means of the support of person and life, 
Is food and raiment, arising either naturally from the 
fruits of the earth, spontaneously growing ; animal 
creatures •, or by the peroonal labour or industry of 
man. Cain, it is said, was a tiller of the ground, and 
Abel a keeper of sheep. "\\ hen Cain had cleared and 
cultivated a piece of ground, and propagated useful 
things thereon, that and those became the property of 
Cain, by his personal labour ; in v/hich the law of na- 
tural reason will protc£l him against any thing but 
personal violence. And, Abel, taking under his care 
and management some of the creatures he found most 
proper for his use and purpose, they became his pro- 
perty, by his care, labour and pains ; in which also he 
was prctefted by the same law. And, ail just laws 
are no other than right reason, declared by v/ay of 
compadl upon that principle of reason, constituent of 
our being. But when the earth was filled with vio-^ 
leiice, God, by the elem.ent of water, destroyed the 
world, save Noah and his family, by whom he replen- 
ished it. 

*^ This being the idea of property, I observed^ men 
may forfeit it, in the sight of God, by extreme wicked- 
ness j as may be instanced m a malefaclor, v/ho by his 
evil deeds forfeits his life, liberty, or property, or all : 
but then no private person can take cognizance of such 
offences, incurring such forfeitures, other than to bear 
witness against the offender, in order to conviftion, 
and adequate punishment before a stated judicature, 
of which no nation is destitute, though varying in cir- 
cumstances. Since then property in lands, &c. cannot 
be just'y taken away from any one (not forfeiting it) 
without consent, Vv^hat is the consent necessary to that 
end ? It must be either in a publick or private capa- 
city ; private, as by his own particular aft to give such 
lands to such a minister or priest, on condition of cer- 
tain services, or for the service of religion in general, 
according to tlie notion the donor had of it ; or pub- 



1725 THOMAS STORY. SOW 

lick, as where the legislature of any country, for poli- 
tick views and interests, make laws for the alienation- 
of the property of the subjefts, with or without their 
private or particular consent, where, though property 
is truly invaded, yet the major direfting the minor, 
the compulsion to obedience is held lawful and just, 
whatever it may be in the nature of the thing •, and 
particulars, sit under the burden. But all this binds 
not the conscience, though property is forced. 

^' All which I apply as foUoweth -, this nation was 
once free from all tithes, and other impositions of that 
sort, till antichristian priestcraft (more subtil than that 
of the heathen) so far seduced the minds of weak and 
ignorant men, prone to superstition and idolatry, that 
they often gave away to the priests the v/hole, or 
greatest part of their substance, (at least on their dying 
beds) for pretended chimerical services : as praying 
the departed souls of themselves or friends out of a 
supposed purgatory, with certain masses *, which so 
far prevailed in this nation, that the legislature, fear- 
ing the whole lands would in time fall into the hands 
of the clergy, made a law, called the Statute of Mort- 
main, as a means to prevent it ; which, in some de- 
gree, answered the end, and clogged their proceed-* 
ings. But I do not remember to have seen rmy law, 
by the legislature of this kingdom, for ir.iposing of 
tithes, or so much as for the recovery of them, or any 
thing to the priests under tlie notion of dues uatil the 
reign of King Henry VIII. When m.en's eyes began 
to be so far opened, that many refused to pay them, 
as appears by the preamble of the statutes, made for 
that end in his reign; which establishes the customs 
on foot in favour of the priests, for forty years before : 
(no doubt originally of their own beginning and im- 
posing). These statutes, being defe£live, were cor- 
roborated by the second statute of Edward VL still in 
force. By all which it appears, these men never came 
fairly and equitably to the large share they demand, 

and 



510 LIFE o^ 1725 

and receive out of the property of others •, especially 
of those who cannot receive them as gospel ministers ; 
since the Author of religion himself hath commanded 
his ministers ; * Tkat as freely they have received^ they 
shall freely give, 

" 1 lie laws of the land therefore, upon the whole, 
though they bind the property, by a sort of national 
violence, yet they can never bind the conscience. For 
which, and the Lord of conscience, we suffer with 
patience, as witnesses on earth for him who reigneth 
in heaven, unt^l, in the course of his providence, he 
appears for our relief, who is the King of kings, and 
Lord ol lords, and doth what he will in and with tlie 
king/; cms of men." 

My noble antagonist replied, not without a little 
pleasantness, ^^ He would not yet yield me the argu- 
ment ," though he was pleased to propose another 
subjeft of a different tenor. 

In the course of this year I attended meetings in 
differeiit places, as Newcastle, Sunderland, Shields, 
&c. atul made a visit to the Earl of Carlisle, at Castle 
How rd. He was confined to his chamber by illness, 
but sending up my name, he readily admitted me, 
and expressed some satisfa6i:ion to see me ; and being 
set down, after a little pause of silence, he moved a 
discourse to this purpose : " That as mankind are in- 
cident to many troubles and temptations in life, he ob- 
served a great difference between the trouble of mind 
which ariseth from losses and disappointments in the 
things of the Vv^orld, and that which proceeds from a 
sense of the misconduct of life, in a course inconsist- 
ent with duty to God, and his known laws." 

This great truth I confirmed in the words of Solo- 
mon, f " The spirit of a man ivill sustain his infirmity ; 
hut a luounded spirit ^jo can bear P Magnanimous per- 
sons may sustain for a long time the shocks of bodily 

* Matt. X. S. f ProY. xsdii. 14. 

ailments^ 



n^5 THOMx\S STORY. 311 

ailments, as likewise of losses and disappointments in 
life ; but when, by our rebellion and disobedience to 
that holy law of life and grace (which God in mercy 
hath placed in us for our guide and condudlor, with 
respect to himself, and towards one another) we wound 
not only our consciences, but crucify to ourselves the 
Son of God afresh, and wound his Holy Spirit in us, 
our anxiety must needs be incomparably greater in this 
case, than the former •, yet such is the unspeakable 
goodness of God to mankind, and the efficacy of the 
virtue of that grace that flows from him, that he does 
-not only shew us our transgressions, and the evil of 
them ; nor only the wounds and gangrene sores there- 
by produced ; but as we are truly humbled in that 
viev/j and willing to amend for time to come, He, 
most kind and beneficent, sends forth his healing and 
restoring virtue, as emollient ointment, taking away 
the anguish, and healing all cur v/ounds." 

This introduced a large field of discourse, which 
held near three hours *, and, l believe, to mutual satis- 
faftion, much upon the points following, viz. 

First, " Faith in Christ, as come in the flesh, being 
the word, power, and wisdom of God assuming our 
nature/' 

Second, ^^ Faith in him as a quickening spirit, and 
divine light, flowing from the Father into our minds, 
aftefting and influencing at certain times, and in such 
degrees as pleaseth him : being as a condemning law 
in us whilst we are in a state of unbelief, sin, and re- 
bellionr; but a law of divine, immortal life, and true 
comforter, in a penitent and faithful state ; to which 
he himself reduceth us by his judgments, and by his 
mercy, inwardly revealed and applied. By the minis- 
tration of judgment, wasting, as with divine fire and 
sword, the whole body of the sins of the flesh and car- 
nal mind ; and at the same time, in and by the same 
spirit, ma aife sting and applying mercy, and life eter- 
nal to the believing, humble^ and penitent soul , and 

so 



SI 2 LIFE o^ 1725 

so completing that salvation declared by the coming of 
Jesus Christ, his death and sufferings/' 

Third, ^^ The kingdom of Christ in this world, 
ruling and reigning in the minds of regenerate men, 
by his grace and spirit, as King of Salem, Prince of 
righteousness and peace, in all them that believe and 
obey -, vi^ho are the children of this kingdom in divine 
communion." 

Fourth, " The kingdoms of men, established by 
the providence of God for the government of the 
world in its natural state, for the preservation of life, 
liberty, charadter, property ; the better sort of men, 
in a moral, social state, being children of this king- 
dom." 

Fifth, ^^ The kingdom of antichrist, being a false 
?hew and pretence of Christianity, under which all 
cruelties and oppressions are and have been afted, to 
4:he destruftion of life, liberty, property, and religion. 
And the children of this kingdom are, more especially, 
ministers, professing Christ, but living to themselves; 
being called by hopes of honour, power, and advantage 
in this world, and not of the Lord : and the great men 
of this world, as likewise those in low stations, con- 
federating with them in worldly views, against the na- 
tural and common interests of the rest of mankind, 
enslaving the conscience by force of human laws, of 
their own devising, agreeably to what Christ said to 
his disciples, They shall put you out of the sy?:agogties. 
In which they are influenced by a devouring, destroy- 
ing spirit, contrary to the nature of Christ, who is a 
mild, innocent, and saving power, most gentle, wise, 
and beneficent, bringing forth in men his own fruits, 
and making them like unto himself ; as antichrist ren- 
ders all his children like unto him, proud, lofty, angry, 
fierce, cruel, and unjust-, arbitrary, and unreasonable, 
implacable, tyrannical, without compassion and mercy, 
which is ever seen in all persecutors, whether under 
the pretence and umbrage of national laws, or despo- 
tick and absolute domination and rule." 

Having 



17S8 THOMAS STORY. 513 

Having discoursed on these and some other import- 
ant matters till near the time of their dining, the Lady 
Irv/in^ one of his daughters, came in, desiring to know 
what he would please to eat ; to which he did not pre- 
sently answer, but bid her sit down in ti.e room ; and 
after a little pause, he said to her, " I could have 
wished you had been present, to have heard what 
passed between us on divers subjects j and then pro- 
ceeded to mention hov/ great an esteem he had for 
friends, as an honest religious people : and as we had 
been great sufferers on account of our principles, he 
had ever helped and served us to the best of his power, 
and ever would." Ail which he spake with solid gra- 
vity, as if he meant to impress on her mind a good 
opinion of us , when he had finished, he drsired her 
to take me with her to dinner, for he could not go 
himself. I accordingly went to dinner, the company 
being only this lady, and two or three more, among 
whom, i v/as civilly treated. 

In the afternoon I returned to Malton to an even- 
ing meeting, and staid their monthly meeting ; next 
day 1 went to York, where I attended several meet- 
ings to good satisfaftion. From hence I went to 
Selby, Ravvclifi-, Thorn, Gainsborough, and other 
places, having meetings in my way to London, where 
I arrived on the 20th of 10th month. Friends were 
generally glad to see me, and I also to m^eet with 
them in the Lord; and many conifortable and confirm- 
ing opportunities we had together. - 

After som.e time I returned to Carlisle^ and Justice 
Town, visiting some neighbouring meetings, and pro- 
secuting some affairs of my own ; and did not take 
any journey out ci the county of Cumberland ;I11 the 
2.5th of 2d month 1728, when I set forward for the 
yearly meeting at Edinburgh j to which many of the 
inhabitanrs of the city cam.e, and were much more 
quiet and attentive than ^^eretofore. Truth p^*?railed 
in its authority and brightness, and the people de-- 
parted under a grave sense of a degree of the virt'ie of 

D d Ite 



314 LIFE OF 1730 

it. "We had several publick meetings till the 6th of 
'3d month, when I went to Linlithgow, and had a 
meeting ; from thence to Glasgow, where I had seve- 
ral meetings, to which many of the more reputable 
sort of people of the city came ; and the Lord favour- 
ed us. On the 12th we had a peaceable open meet- 
ing at Robert Gray's near Garthshore, with the few 
friends rem^aining in those parts, and next day return- 
ed to Edinburgh ; from whence I proceeded to Kelso, 
Berwick, &c. taking meetings in my way to Carlisle, 
where I came on the 7th of 4th month. 

On the 4th of Sd month 1730, I was again at the 
yearly meeting at Edinburgh, and at some meetings at 
Glasgow, to a good degree of satisfaction, though one 
of them soiriewhat disturbed by a company of the col- 
legians, who were ruder than any other of the lower 
sort ; v/liich gave me some heavy reflections, *^ that 
these seminaries of th? members, both of the national 
church and state, should be so depraved ; to see the 
good intentions of well-meaning parents so cheated 
?ind eluded by the ignorance, perfidiousness, and idle- 
ness of those well-paid teachers, to whom the care of 
them and their education is committed, is lamentable 
and shocking : for, alas, what but bitter and poisonous 
waters can be expecSced from such depraved and en- 
venomed fountains." 

We v/ere favoured at every meeting with having 
civil officers sent by the magistrates to keep out the 
ruder sort, which contributed to our outward quiet. 
On the 15th I returned to Edinburgh, and from thence 
to Justice Town, at which place, and near to it, I em- 
ployed m^yself in my favourite amusement of planting 
and improving my land, at the same time visiting meet- 
ings as they came in course, and enjoying the conver- 
sation, of my friends and neighbours till the 2d month 
1731, when I set out on a journey, and vi^as at divers 
meetings, as Kendal, Lancaster, Preston, Warrington. 
On the 13th I went to Chester to the yearly meeting, 
which began about two in the afternoon for the minis- 
ters 



1751 THOMAS STORY. SI 6 

ters and elders ; and the next day was meetings for wor- 
ship, both forenoon and afternoon -, which were very 
large, having the company of great part of the citizens, 
and many of the gentry round. On the 15th, in the 
forenoon, was the meeting of conference, and quar- 
terly meeting for Cheshire ; and in the afternoon a 
meeting for worship, at which several thousands of 
people, many of them being of the more repiitabie sort, 
and, among others, seven ministers of the nationai 
church, who, as well as the people, spake well of the 
testimony of truth, which was delivered among them : 
for which many friends were thankful to the l^ord our 
Godj wlic killi wrodiglit so great 3 change in the sninds 
©f Ae people, not onlj m this plice^ hut also in most 
places at tMs dsj tluro^Jgliout all Britain, aad the Bri- 
tish domiiiians e^eiy wliere, John Fallowfield being at 
the meeting, he ^nd I st?id till the first daj fcJlowing, 
,md h^d two saeetiiigs more, I think, to general satis- 

Ob tlie 2Qth we west to LudJow, where the yearly 
WLesnug for Wales was to be held tJiis year. There 
was no friends here, nor had been any me e tin ,2; held 
for a long time (if eTer) before. The first was held 
in the prince's palace, in a large hall, by the favour g£ 
Captain Jones the gOYemor; but being very much 
crowded, the ministering friends divided themselves 
in the afternoon, so that another m.eeting VvT*s held at 
the same time in a room, adjoining to the hall; and 
both Vv^ere large. The Lord was with us, r.nd his gos- 
pel was preached, in his v/isdom and power,. to gene- 
ral satisfaction ; and notwithstanding the great throng 
of people, there was not any disorder among them ; 
for the magistrates, to their just commendation, had 
taken precaution, by making proclamation through 
the town, and pasting the same up in v/riting in the 
miarket, or some publick place, that if any should 
molest the meeting, or give any disturbance, such 
should be severely punished , and besides this encou- 
ragement 



316 LIFE OF 1731 

ragement they appointed constables to attend the 
gates, some of whom were very serviceable in the meet- 
ings, in dire£ling the people to convenient seats, and 
placing them to the best advantage for general accom- 
modation. The meetino-s ended on the 22d, and I 
went the next day to Lemster, and had a meeting j 
but returned on the 25th to Ludlow, being first day 
of the week, and h^d tvro meetings, that in the morn* 
ing not large ; but in the afternoon the great hall was 
weir filled with sober people, to whom the gospel was 
yet more fully preached, and was the most open meet- 
ing we had in the place ; and so we left them in peace 
and love. 

Alter this I v/ent to Worcester, Cheltenham, and 
divers otlier places, till I came to Bristol, john Irwin 
and John Fallowfiekl being with me j here we staid 
the time of the yearly meeting, and had good service ; 
the meetings being large and open, and the kingdom 
of God preached. On tiie 22d of Sd month I went 
to Nailsworth, and from thence to many other places 
in these parts, taking meetings till the 9th of 5th 
month, when 1 was at Bristol again. I never went to 
that city with less hope, or more down in my mind, 
th?!! lit thi*^ tirpp^ but on the third daVn the meeting 
being larger than usual, was pretty generally reached, 
and more of the young sort of both sexes tendered, 
than I had observed there, or elsewhere for a long 
time ; after which I was not so much loaded in my 
spirit as before in that city, where there is still a great 
body of people under our profession, who, I hope, 
will rem^ain honourable in the truth, and increase in 
the power and virtue of it. On the 14th I went to a 
meeting at Belton, accompanied with Alexander Ars- 
cott, an honest and good warrior for truth on earth 
against the infidels of the present age. A considera- 
ble number of friends and others attended the meeting, 
among whom my labour was hard for some time -, to 
what purpose I do not know: for, though many im- 
portant 



1732 THOMAS STORY. Sl7 

portant truths of the gospel were plainly opened, I did 
not find any great impression they made, nor was I 
very easy afterwards, but under a kind of deadness ; 
which, I fear, is the state of too many people, to 
whom we minister ; though several at this time seem- 
ed well satisfied with the meeting. 

I went to a meeting at Frenchay, and on the 21st 
returned to Bristol, v/here I staid during the time of 
the fair, attending the meetings, which were very large 
and open. On the 5th of 6th month I was at tlie 
week-day meeting at Nailsworth, nnd also ihe first day 
following, to satisfaftion : from hence I went to Ci- 
rencester, Bur ford, Whitney, Charlsbury, and Oxford. 
Here I felt my mind loaded with the povv^er of dark- 
ness which m.ay be felt, constantly prevailing in that 
seat of wisdom, but not the wisdom of God. I vras 
here on the first day of the week | the meeting remain-- 
ed heavy and dark a considerable time, till the never- 
failing truth arose, and dispersed it, in wiich, beinp- 
over ail opposite spirits, I stood up, rnid many things 
were opened of great importance^ vi'ithout any disturb- 
ance from the scholars, many of whom were there. 
Having thus succeeded, ;he way 'vvas easier at our 
next nieetins in the arter.Toon, where, havinp matter 
of importance to deliver^ with full authority, severed 
of them were affe£led. On the IGth I went to Bc-ii- 
bjary, to Benjamin Kidd's ; and next dav was a^ a 
meeting at South Newineton i ■' ' " d 

well. I was at several n^^crln^^s ^ .; . 

to Nottingham and Mansfield; ircrn whence 1 went 
to Sir John Rhodes's at Balberhail, where I stayed 
two nights, and accompanied him to the meetinr- at 
Chesterfield. After this I was at many m.eetin^^s in 
Yorkshire, and other northern counties , and on the 
2d of 7th month 1732, went to York •, on the 5th I 
called at Castle Howard, and dined with the Errl o'^ 
Carlisle and his family, the Lord Cornbury b^ 'r ; .aer- 
likev/ise. iVbout the conclusion of our dinner. 



tii'i 



Earl in a frank manner moved some discourse about 
D d 2 the 



318 LIFE OF 1732 

the ceremonies of the national church, and asked me 
if we would join with them, in case they wouhl lay 
aside the surplice, and sign of the cross in baptism ? 
I answered, " Lay these things aside, and then we 
will confer with you about the rest." Then said the 
Earl, " These things are no way essential to re]i<Tion, 
and vnay well be spared -, we have no foundation in 
scripture for them, and seme other things we use.'^ 

Then his chaplain (who was present) said, ^^ Things 
innocent in their own nature may be enjoined by the 
church and the legislature ; and thence arises a duty 
to obedience." ihe Earl replied, " That v.hateveV 
is invented and imposed by man in matters of religion, 
more than what \v as ordained by Christ, and taught 
by him and his apostles, is vicious, and ought not to 
be regarded." (O noble confession!) Upon this, 
dismissing his chaplain, 1 requested liberty for a few 
words further, since he had been pleased to mention 
their baptism, and objecl to an incident of it, as now 
used by them, I hoped it Vv^ould not be ill resented^ if 
I endeavoured to inform him how we understand the 
Christian baptism ; and having his countenance there- 
in, 1 proceeded : «' That John the Baptist, being moved 
by the Word;^ or Spirit of God, to call the Jews to re- 
pentance, and to baptize, or \\ ash in water, such as be- 
lieved his do£):rine, and went to him to that end ; he 
foretold them of another to come after him, much 
more worthy, and to be preferred, who should bap- 
tize them with a more excellent, powerful, and effica- 
cious baptism •, that is to say, the Lord Jesus Christy 
with the Holy Ghost and fire. 

«< That John did not baptize in any particular name, 
but direfted his disciples to believe in one who was to 
come after him, who himself did not know when he 
first began to preach and baptize ; and as repentance 
waS; at that time, the necessary doftrine to the Jews, 
Christ hini3elf preached repentance, and his disciples, 
they also baptized with water, as John did, and at the 
aame time, but with this difference, that John baptized 

not 



17 >2 THO^IAS STORY. i 319 

no^ in any name, but the disciples of Christ most pro- 
baV)ly in his name, whom thejr had rightly believed to 
be the true Messiah ; and in whose name alone, after 
he was declared to be sent of God, all the water bap- 
tism we ever find in the scrlpiu-e to be administered, 
was performed, and never in the name of the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost. 

^^ That after the resurreflrion of Christ, and before 
his ascension, he introduced his baptism, as it was 
most excellent in itself, so with greater dignity and 
glory, saying, * All poiver in heaven and in earth is given 
unto me ; repentatice and remission of sins must be pre.iched 
in my name unto all nations^ beginning at ^Jerusalem ;. 
and ye shall he ^witnesses unto me in Jerusalem^ in Judea^ 
in Samaria^ in all the regions round about ^ mid to the ut^ 
ier most parts of the earth : Go ye there f or e^ teach all 72a^ 
tio77Sy baptizing them in the name of the Father^ Son^ and 
Holy Ghost y teaching them to observe all things luhatsoever 
I have commanded you. Go into all the earthy and preach 
the gospel unto every creature. He that believeth^ and is 
baptized^ shall be saved ; and he that believeih ?wt^ shalV 
be damned : And loy I am 'with you ahvays^ even to the 
end of the ivorldJ 

" But notwithstanding this commandment from the 
mouth of him Who hath all power in heaven and earth, 
he knew that his disciples could not of themselves 
baptize with this baptism, (though thej had by his 
command, or countenance, baptized with water) with- 
out the a(Slu?.l and present power cf the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost, in one dispensation : therefore he 
adaed this further command^ But tarry ye at Jerusa^ 
lem till ye have received poiver fro?n on high. And lest 
they should mistake, and think he was instituting ano- 
ther v^^ater baptism, he distinguishes his baptism from 
that of water, saying, John truly baptized 'with ivater^ 
but ye shall be baptized ivith the Holy Ghost not many days 
hence. So that it is evident, according to the testimony 
of Holy Writ, that this institution was not any water 
baptism, but distinguished from it, the same which 

John 



S^O LIFE OF 1732 

John ascribed to Christ, and is the baptism of the spirit 
oniy. This we own, and this only, to be the baptism 
in the church ci Christ, initial, by its powerful eiFefts, 
into the churchy which is his body, the ground and 
pillar of truth, the fulness of him' who jiHeth all in all^ 

To this no reply being made, after some discourse 
which passed betVv^een the two Lords, I took leaver 
the Earl went before me to the head of the out-stairs, 
and, standing there av/hile, professed his good liking 
to friends, as a religious, useful people , and vrished 
his tenants were all of our way. From thence I went 
to Malton, Scarborough, and divers other places, ha- 
ving meetings to good satisfaction. And on the 1st 
of 9th miOnth I went again to Balber Hall, to see my 
worthy friend and old acquaintance Sir John Rhodes, 
who had embraced the truth early in his youth under 
great self-denial ; in which he had continued, and 
holds his integrity unto this day, and without doubt 
will to the end : and then an overbalance unspeakable, 
to- all the honour and pleasure he hath sacriiiced in 
this world for the cross of Christ, he will micet v/ith 
in that v/hich is to come, never ending or suffering 
change, but from glory to glory for ever ! I staM 
here in open friendship till the 4th, when I went to 
Mansfield, and was at their meeting ; I M^as likewise 
at a meeting here on the 7th, which was large on ac- 
count of a burial. " The truth was preached to the 
people in terms suitable to their states \ and they were 
much more sobt^ and attentive than could hc.ve been 
expefled from their first appearance, many of them 
looking wild and airy ; which gave me occasion to 
think, what good do their parents do tliem ? and 
where is the care of parents to be seen ? But he that 
commandeth the winds, and stijleth the raging waves 
of the sea, calmeth the most turbulent spirits by his 
invisible word, working eff*e£l:s visible and surprizing!" 
The meeting ended in peace, and in all appearance to 
general satisfafiion^ 

On 



1732 THOMAS STORY. S'it 

On the 8lh I went to Nottingham, and was at their 
meeting next day ; which was open and comfortable. 
I took my way after this through Leicestershire and 
Northamptonshire towards London, where I came on 
the 7th of 10th month, and was kindly received by 
my friends. 

At this time Deism was much advanced in the city 
and nation, yet our meetings were crowded on first 
days : and though the generality of friends in the cit^r 
were young people, they delighted to hear the princi- 
ples and doctrines of truth published. I was freqiT-zMtly 
concerned " to distinguish betVv^een a natural and spi- 
ritual state. In the former, man has the use of his rea- 
son and understanding in natural things, receiving his 
ideas thereof from without by his senses, and making 
a judgment according to the degree of the ability of 
his natural faculties, deducing consequences from pre- 
mises by reasoning : by which he may conclude the 
existence of the Almighty, from the works of the crea- 
tion, but cannot form any proper idea of the enjoy- 
ment of God in this state. But in the latter or spiri- 
tual state, whereinto man is brought by the word or 
spirit of God, operating in his mind, he is capacitated 
to enjoy God, as he is essential love, wisdom, truth, 
power, &c.'* 

One day, during my stay in the city, I, with some 
other friends, fell in company with a Deist ; and some- 
thing being moved relating to his principles, he was 
furnished with divers subtle arguments in opposition 
to the Christiarn religion ; which yet had no weight 
with us. One present, to bring him in some res^pe£l 
under the authority of the Holy Scriptures, asked him, 
if he did believe what was written therein ? He an- 
swered, that he did believe many things therein, but 
not all ; and soon after he u^'ged the apostle's do£trine 
in his epistle to the Romans, in defence of their posi- 
tion, " That the .reason of man is his only guide in 
the way to please Godj. and the only principle by 

which 



S22 LIFE OF I732r 

which man Can apprehend there is a God ^ for saith 
the scripture, * That ivhich may he hnoiun of God is 
manifest in them^ (i. e. mew) for God hath shewed it unto 
them : for the invisii/e things of him from the creation of 
the ivorld are clearly seen^ being understood by the things 
that are made^ even his eternal poiver and Godhead s so 
that they are n^vithout e:^cuseJ^ 

I replied, <* That man, taking in the idea of the 
outward creation by his senses, and reasoning from 
the effeft to the cause, may conclude, and cannot 
avoid it, that there is an almighty, ail-wise agent, who 
has produced aod supports all things ; and that he hath 
all the divine and moral attiibutes coamnoply ascribed ; 
fmm whicb reasooaible contemplation a great satisfac- 
tioifi may arise : and yet all this is, in comp<irison, but 
a liistacy or report of God, though for ever true i and 
gwes not the enjoyment of his presence sensibly, as 
he IS divine evSsentiril truth, love, wisdom, light, and 
po ver As whkh, he cannot be known but by his 
o^:- liglrt, Uowi-ng frrsm himself through that pure 
im-^ ^~r^ the reasonable mind of Christ, of his own pre- 
par^ 11 by whom, as through a vail, man sees the iu- 
ace- ble glory of the Father, who dwelleth in the 
lights which no man hath seen, nor can see by any 
other medium -, and not by that, till due qualifications 
be wrought in the mind of man by this light. 

^* That the Divine Light of Truth or Spirit of 
Christ, is another thing than human reason, and is 
added to the rational nan, after he is already rational ; 
and is not constituent of his being, as his reason is.'* 

Having visited all the meetings in London, and be- 
ing easy for the present concerning them, I set for- 
ward for the north on the 2d of i2th month, going 
by way of Kartford, Llitchin, Coventry, Birmingham, 
Manchester, &c. taking meetings at these and other 
places to good satisfaftion. On the 1st of 1st month, 

* Rom. i. 19, %o> 

1733, 



1733 THOMAS STORY. 823 

1733, I came to Kendal, and was at their monthly 
meeting the day after, which was large and open, and 
the business thereof managed in the peaceable wisdom 
of truth, so that it was a comfortable time, through 
the Lord's goodness. I staid till the first day of the 
next week, when the morning meeting was large, con- 
sisting for the most part of friends ; the necessary 
truths of the gospel opened clearly, and with tender- 
ing authority : persuading the youth not to rest in the 
outside of things only, in a formal exercise of things 
left by example of those who are gone before, but to 
wait for the same word of wisdom and power in them- 
selves, as their conductor in the same good pra£tices 
in their day. Several of them were tendered and 
broken ; the Lord favouring us Vv'ith his presence. At 
the afternoon meeting a multitude attended, and seve- 
ral of the magistrates, who were generally sedate and 
attentive; many things of the kingdom of God were 
opened among them with good authority ; especially 
concerning regeneration, the difference betVv'een a na- 
tui-al and spiritual mind and state, and the necessity of 
a real and sensible change. I had thanks from one of 
the justices for my good instruction, as he was pleased 
to call it, which, though it is a thing of course among 
themselves, was much better than being sent into a 
prison for it, as often happened to those Vv^ho made 
way in times past, by their sufferings, for tbe liberty 
we enjoy -, and whose mem.ory ought to be retained 
with great respeft ; though some at this day, under 
the same profession, despise and trample upon the 
most essential part of their testimony, as also most of 
the incidents, and exterior marks of distinction betvv^een 
us and the world : for such incidents there are, besides 
a holy life, and moral decorum among men. 

I passed the evening in agreeable conversation with 
some friends, and went the next day to Penrith, and 
the day after to my usual lodgings at Carlisle. Having 
settled some concerns in the country, I went to the 

yearly 



524. LIFE OF 17SS 

yearly meeting at Kendal, which was very large, con- 
si-sting for the most part of young people -, as does our 
society throughout the world at this day. We were 
favoured with the Divine Presence in some degree, 
but not so as I have experienced on these occasions : 
for the state of the people could not bear it ; " the 
generality of them being as the Samaritans of old, who 
had believed that Jesus Christ was the Messiah that 
had been to come ; and so far they were right ; but 
the Holy Spirit of Christ was not come upon them for 
some time after they had so believed. So likewise 
these our younger sort of friends, having believed the 
same concerning the comiing: of Christ in that ad- 
ministration, as also the general do£lrines (published 
among us at this day) of his light, grace, or Holy Spi- 
rit, yet the operation of it has not been witnessed, by 
many of them, as a sensible and experimental dispen- 
•satiGii of life and power^ v/hich is properly the gospel." 

The meetings held three days, and concluded well, 
to the sole praise of the Holy One, who never fails 
to do good to his people. x\fter this I was at Sed- 
berg, Bishop-Aukiand, Durham, and Newcastle, from 
thence went to Carlisle, and on the 4lh of 3d month 
set forward for the yearly meeting at London, where, 
with hard travel, I came on the 10th. 

In t is miceting the testimony of truth was further 
established against the payment of tithes, which had 
been weakened by the unfaithfulness of several in pro- 
fession with us, who, for the time, might have known 
better, and arrived at greater perfeSion. Som^e mem- 
bers of the mieeting oiTering apologies for delinquen- 
cies of this nature ; " I put the meeting in mind, that 
at a time of great distra£lion about matters of religion 
in this nation, the Lord, in infinite mercy, stretched 
forth the arm of his power, by which he gathered to 
himself a iroyal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar 
people, who, through the virtue and power of his 
grace, bore a threefold testimony in the world. 

" First, 



1733 THOMAS STORY. 325 

^^ First, To the manifestation of the Holy Spirit of 
Christy as the only infallible and all-sufficient teacher 
of mankind, in the things of God and eternal life. 

^^ Secondly, To a holy, innocent, righteous life, as 
the necessary consequences of such teachings 

" Thirdly, Against an antichristian ministry, set up, 
and subsisting in the world, by tithes, and other op- 
pressive means ; never appointed by God for a Chris- 
tian ministry, but invented and obtruded upon the 
world by an antichristian power, usurping authority 
in the name of the Lord Jesus (v>diose kingdom is not 
of this world) over all the kings and princes, and mo- 
ral establishments where Christ was named and ov/ned. 
In which our primitives were true and faithful ; so that 
these three points were settled and held as essential, 
and indispensable to the dispensation of the Almighty 
committed unto his people in this and all future ages : 
and none really accounted under that dispensation, 
who came not up in the pra£lice of them. I therefore 
conclude it is the same still, and ever will be. And 
that former yearly meetings, whose minutes are now 
inspected and referred to, (especially relating to the 
payment of tithes) did but their duty in distinguishing- 
such as fall short in this common testimony ; so far at 
least, as to prohibit such from any share in the exercise 
of judgment, or the application of the order and disci- 
pline of the church, where themselves are subj efts of 
censure therein. As it is written. The brother that is weak 
in the faith ^ receive ^ hut not to douotful disputations T 

It was concluded to have former minutes transcribed 
against the payment of tithes, and a written epistle pre- 
pared, recommending faithfulness therein, to be sent 
to the quarterly and m.onthly meetings, in which the 
meeting seemed generally unanimous. 

After staying some v/eeks in London, visiting tlie 
meetings, I went to Hartford, Hitchin, J3aldock, and 
Ware, and from thence to Kingston and Guildford, 
und into Hampshire and Dorsetshire, and on the 21st 

E^ of 



S26 LIFE OF 1733 

of 6th month was at Bristol, at their weelc-day meet- 
ing. I went after this by Monmouth and Ross to 
Keyngton^ where the yearly meeting for seven western 
counties was held this year, viz. Herefordshire, Wor- 
cestershire, Gloucestershire, Somersetshire, Dorset- 
shire, Devonshire, and Cornwall, which I attended; 
it was an edifying, informing, and comfortable meet- 
ing, the people, who were very numerous, being gene- 
rally sober, and well satisfied. 

After this meeting I went to Leominster, Amily, 
Bromyard, Worcester, and other places, till I came to 
Nailsworth, where 1 was at their meeting on the first 
day of the week, it was large in the afternoon, but la- 
borious ; for many of the people in those parts and 
elsewhere, having been often at our meetings, (where 
the truths of the gospel have been clearly and power- 
fully declared) and secretly convinced, yet, stumbling 
at the cross, have not obeyed to an open confession of 
the truth, therefor e do not grow or come forward in 
it, but are as seed buried under the clods of the earth, 
and in danger of bein,.: lost. Christ was preached to 
them this day, with respect: to his inward as well as 
outward manifestation, and especially the former ; and 
they were warned of the danger of negle£ling the day 
of the offers of salvation, and strivings of the Spirit of 
God in them ; since the language of Wisdom to a re- 
bellious, gainsaying, negligent people, is on this wise, 
* / called y sa'ith the Lordj and ye would not hear ; ye 
shall cryy and I will not answer ; 1 will laugh at your 
calamities^ and mock when your fear comes* And, -j- 7i- 
day if you will hear his voice y harden not your hearts. 

I staid here till the 1 3th, and was at their week-day 
meeting, which was small, no notice being given of 
my remaining there, as I was willing to see their man- 
ner in the absence of strangers. On the 14th I went 
to Marshfield, to the widow Wickham's, a good old 

* Prov. i. t Ps. xcv. 7, 8. 

matron. 



1734 THOMAS STORY. 327 

matron, and entertainer of friends for many years *, I 
had a meeting there, to which came some of the so- 
ber neighbours, and we were favoured with a good 
open time -, after this I was at Bath, Bristol, and 
other meetings in these parts. And on the 21st of 
Sth month had an evening meeting at Henly, which 
was very large, many of the Presbyterians, and others 
of the neighbourhood being there, and generally very 
sober ;• many truths of the gospel were proclaimed in 
their ears, and some hearts touched with the virtue of 
it : but the cross is still a stumbling block to some who 
profess the Christian name ; mankind desiring heaven, 
when the report thereof seems beautiful, but wouM 
part with nothing for it \ they would still be heirs of 
two kingdoms ; which, in this sense, can never be. 
I proceeded from hence for London, where having 
staid some time, and thoroughly visited the meetings, 
I left it on the 23d of ist month, ITSS-^, going north- 
ward, by way of Coventry, Stockport, Manchester, 
and so to Carlisle. 

^^ At the first mentioned place the assizes had lately 
been held, when several malefa£i:ors were capitally 
convi£led ; and, among others, an episcopal priest, 
for stealing a mare, to whom, and to all in the court, 
the judge gave good advice, more especially to this 
poor condemned criminal j to whom he said, that the 
sin was great in itself, but much more aggravated and 
magnified in him, who, pretending to be a minister of 
Christ, ought to have been a good example, and leader 
of others in the way of righteousness and truth ; but 
falling so greatly short himself of moral honesty, he 
was become a reproach to his profession, and a stum- 
bling block to the weak, to whom he ought to have 
been a support. And it was particularly remarked, 
that the judge told the criminal. If he had taken due 
heed to the divine principle of grace and truth in his owu 
mind J he would not have fallen into that sin^ which was 
no%u bringing him to so ignominious an end.'' This dis- 
course 



828 LIFE OF 17^4^ 

course had good efFefi: on him and the other crimhials, 
and also on the auditory. Some said, the judge had 
preached a good Quaker's sermon. 

On the 1st of 2d month I went to Stockport, where 
I had a comfortable time in visiting the families of 
friends. On the 7th I was at Manchester, being first 
day of the week ; the meetings were to general satis- 
faftion, so far as I could obsei*ve ; some essential parts 
("^f the Christian faith, praftice, hope, love, and suffer- 
ings were laid open and made plain in the light and 
power of the Son of God, and many hearts tendered 
thereby. I went from hence to Lancaster, to a meet- 
ing of ministers and elders, which was well furnished 
with the same, from divers counties and places, and 
we were favoured with the good presence and counsel 
of the Lord. The day after two meetings for worship 
were held, both very large, consisting generally of 
friends : the people in this part resting satisfied in 
their own dead forms, though a few of them, who 
came in, behaved soberly, and the Lord gave us a 
good m^eeting, through the revelation of the Father 
by the Son, who never fails nor forsakes his own, 
whom in this age, as in times past, he hath called and 
filled by his word, to bear the ensign of his great name 
before the nations. 

After this I was at other meetings in these parts, 
and in the Sd month went to London, in order to at- 
tend the yearly meeting, to which I was appointed a 
representative : we had a peaceable time, through the 
wisdom and goodness of the Lord, though Satan was 
not wanting in his attempts to make division and mis- 
chief. I staid in the city, and near it, visiting the 
meetings, till the 14th of 6th month, and then, accom- 
panied by my sure and agreeable friend, John Fallow- 
field, set forward on a journey into the west. We 
were at many meetings to good satisfaction, and in 
our way had a meeting at Pool, which was very large, 
with people not gf our society. The Lord furnished 

us 



17S4 THOMAS STORY. S2^ 

us with understanding and ability, and the dodirine 
and virtue of the gospel reached many that day. We 
were much drawn out to the people, in the labour of 
love and good will, and much exhausted in the service, 
yet our reward was sure in the Lord, and our satisfac- 
tion great in his presence. 

On the 1st, 2d, and 3d of 7th month was held the 
circular yearly meeting for the west at Exeter. Many 
of the inhabitants of the city and neighbouring places 
came in, behaving very soberly : the truths of the gos- 
pel were declared to them with authority and demon- 
stration by several of the ministry •, and the meeting 
was peaceable and comfortable, and to good satisfac- 
tion. Indeed the people throughout this nation are 
generally willing to give us a fair and peaceable hear- 
ing, with good acceptance, as to the truth of our doc- 
trine ; but the cross of Christ is yet too heavy for 
them, as they weakly think, and finding ease and a 
false rest in death, under their teachers, who sooth 
them in their sins, they rest short of the kingdom. 

We staid a few days longer at Exeter, and were at 
several meetings to good satisfaftion. On the 9th we 
had a meeting in the town-^hall at TotnesSj which was 
large, mostly of the reputable sort, a very full and com- 
fortable time the Lord gave us among them., exalting 
the testimony of his living truth over all ; and we wit- 
nessed peace, as a full recompence for the labour given 
us to perform by the word of the Lord. After this 
v/e had meetings at Plym.outh, Foy, Austel, Falmouth^ 
&c. to the Land's End : here the meeting was large, 
considering the srnallness of the house. The people, 
in general, are of low capacity, but m.atter suitable to 
their condition opened freely. New wine is not put 
into old bottles •, most of them had not believed in the 
truth, therefore not san£i:ified through faith in him ^ 
so that the efflux of the living water, was not so ple^: - 
*' tiful, nor the wine of the kingdom so strongly ::,L. ..- 
tlierewith as at some other places^ yet sufiicinr: c'- 
E e 2 h^,is 



S30 LIFE OF 1734^ 

both to give n c!ear evidence, and vi-e had a comfort- 
able season by the Lord's good presence, and his arm 
was magnified. On the 6th of 8th month we were at 
the meeting at Dennis, among an innocent people, 
many of them (about forty) lately convinced, being 
very tender, as little children desiring the pure milk of 
the word, v/hich the Lord dispensed largely and freely 
among them, to our mutual satisfa£lion. They were 
greatly tendered, as we had been when we were first 
convinced, which gave me a grateful remembrance of 
those days and times of espousals, and hopes that the 
renewing of such times in a more general way is not 
far off. Such being now, in divers parts of the world, 
as a few first ripe ears proclaiming the approaching 
harvest : as it is written, * Seed time and harvest^ sum- 
mer and %vinter^ day a7id night shall not cease. The dis- 
penastions of the Almighty unto mankind, though va- 
rious, shall not cease from henceforward for ever. 

When we were at the yearly meeting at Exeter, 
some proposals had been made of having a meeting at 
Tiverton, in our return from Cornwall, to which we 
were inclined, and, after being at several meetings in 
cur way, (as Port Isaac, Leskard, &c.) v/e came there^ 
and held a meeting on the 2 1 st, which was large, con- 
sisting of people of all ranks \ the mayor and other 
magistrates being present, they appointed the consta- 
bles to keep the baser sort in awe, if any should oc- 
casion a disturbance. The Lord, who always coun- 
tenanceth his own appointments in providence, gave 
us strength and understanding sufficient for the work 
of this day, wherein we had no small labour, yet a 
good and comfortable time ; and all ended to the ho- 
nour of God, and promotion of his truth among the 
people, who were generally satisfied with what they 
heard, being many of the most needful truths of the 
gospel *, and Christ was truly preached by his own 

* Gen. viii. X2» 

immediate 



1734 THOMAS STORY. 3^1 

immediate power, in the use of instruments. After 
the meeting we made our acknowledgments to the 
magistrates for their kind assistance -, and in the after- 
noon I went with a friend to visit one of the most 
noted persons in town, a Presbyterian by profession, 
who had been at the meeting, and vei'y attentive. He 
had been well satisfied with v/hat he had heard, except 
some things I had said upon the subjeft of baptism : 
I endeavoured to shew him, " that the baptism, men- 
tioned by the evangelist, Matthew, is not water bap- 
tism, and that the few uncertain instances of the prac- 
tice of water baptism by some of the apostles, after the 
effusion of the Holy Ghost, was not from that text, 
but upon the same foot upon Vv^hich they practised it 
in John s time, and was no other than his baptism with 
water ; but Christ's baptism, m.entioned in this text, 
and others, relating to the same time and subject, is 
of a more excellent nature and efficacy, being by the 
spirit of Christ, the word of God, the great baptizer 
of the soul in the laver of regeneration ; which all na- 
tural men (being one of the great things of God) are 
ignorant of, nor can they at all understand it, till they 
believe in the Spirit himself, the condemner of the 
■world 5 of whom it is written, * As many as I love^ I 
rebuke and chasten, -j- Turn you at my reproof ; behold I 
nvill pour out my Spirit upon you ; Iivill make knowJi my 
ivords unto you. I further said, that I had often ob- 
served the great ascendancy education and custom 
have over mankind in outward things, in which alone 
the religion of the natural man consists ; and how far 
remote they sometimes were from the things contend- 
ed for, as in the present case, where he was pleading 
for water baptism, and was not in the pradlice of any : 
for sprinkling an infant in the face with water is no 
baptism, nor practised by the apostles of Christ ; but 
set up in the dark night of apostasy by antichristian 

* Rev. iii 19. | Pro v. i, 2J. 

priests 



S32 LIFE OF 1734 

priests of the see of Rome. And as they had no wa- 
ter baptism (which could be so called) but sprinkling, 
they could not, nor did they deliver any baptism to 
such as dissented and separated from them, at the time 
and times usually called the reformation : so that none 
of you are under any ordinance of Christ on that ac- 
count, but only of a vain tradition of ignorant and 
presumptuous men, an old Popish relift, which can- 
not be defended with any propriety. And, we know 
it is sufficient reason for us to decline all water bap- 
tism, in that we can say with the great apostle of the 
Gentiles, Christ has not sent us to baptize^ but to preach 
the gospel^ according to the measure of the dispensation 
thereof, in this age, committed unto us ; which differs 
nothing from the same, but in the degrees of wisdom 
and power, being unalterable in the nature and reason 
of the thing." 

This he did not seem very well to relish, but made 
no further defence of a thing so plainly wrong, and 
we parted in friendship. My companion and I pro- 
ceeded for Bristol, where, after staying about two 
weeks, he left me, intending for London, upon the 
death of that able minister of the gospel, and pillar in 
the house of God, Francis Davis. On the 16th of 9th 
month, I likewise departed from Bristol, taking meet- 
ings at Bath, Caine, Marlborough, and other places in 
my way to London. The meeting at Jordans was 
pretty large ; the Lord was near in a time of long si- 
lence, and I had good matters before me, but unable 
to speak by means of a cold \ yet at length broke 
through, so as to express the heads of some matters 
before me, relating to the ancient prophecy of the 
Lord : * That it should come to pass^ that seven women 
shall take hold of one man^ sayings We -zvill eat our own 
breads and wear our own apparel ; oftly^ let us be called 
by thy name to take away our reproach » 

* I$a» iv. I. 

«« Which 



1735 THOMAS STORY. SS3 

« Which is fulfilled in many, if not the greatest 
part of the professors of Christ throughout the world, 
who feed themselves with their own inventions of va- 
rious forms, of what they call their religion, and cloath 
themselves with their own righteousness, neglecting 
the righteousness of God, even the Lord our righteous- 
ness. Many, likewise, feeding the body to excess, 
and luxury, cloath it with needless and airy, fantasti- 
cal garments, things not becoming the cross of Christ. 
But the people of God are preserved clear from these 
things, by waiting upon him day and night in his tem- 
ple, (the second house more glorious than the former) 
for the consolatio7i of Israel^ the light to etilighten the Gen- 
tiles y and the glory of his true Israeli 

I staid in London, visiting the meetings, till the 
29th of 1st month, 1735, and then went to Albans, 
where I was at their meetings on a first day, in which 
the Lord favoured us with his good presence. From 
hence I went to Hemsted, Aylsbury, and some other 
places, and was at the yearly meeting for four coun- 
ties, viz. Cheshire, Lancashire, Y/estmoreland, and 
Cumberland, held at Westchester. The meetings 
were very large, with people of all ranks, and the 
Lord was pleased to favour us with his good presence, 
and to exalt his own glorious name over all ! the great 
multitude, during the service, being mostly as still as 
a meeting of friends. Here was a young woman in 
the mmistry, who had been convinced about four years 
before, she being at a meeting with some of her ac- 
quaintance, they thought what I had to say was a 
contrived sermon, which might be kept v/ritten in my 
pocket ; whereas I never prepared any thing to say in 
any meeting in all my life hitherto, but have ever de- 
pended upon the heart-preparing power and word of 
the Lord, and immediate work and openings of it m 
my own mind. From this time the young woman 
became nearer to friends, and attended our meetings, 

till 



334^ LIFE OF 1735 

till she found strength to own the truth in a publick 
manner. 

On the 22d of 2d month I left Chester, and that day 
had a small meeting at Wrexham , from thence I went 
to Shrewsbury, Colebrookdale, and Bewdly, and on 
the 29th was at the meeting at Worcester, where the 
Lord favoured us with his good presence, the scrip- 
tures of the Old and New Testament being opened to 
us with brightness and authority, to general satisfac- 
tion, for which we were thankful unto him who hath 
all wisdom and power, and without whom we can do 
nothing : yet this meeting was so hard to me for some 
time in silence, and the people so heavy, that it put 
me in mind of a saying of the apostle : *" What shall 
they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not 
at all F why are they then baptized for the dead? But so 
soon as a little help appeared from the Lord, all weak- 
ness, and the power of death, vanished as darkness be- 
fore the day, and in him I arose and prevailed ; and 
so let it be with all his ministers in all places, from 
henceforth through all generations ! Amen. 

Next day I went to Evesham, and on the 2d of 3d 
month had an appointed meeting at Chipping Norton, 
which was very open, the goodness of the Lord accom- 
panying us therein, and the light of his countenance 
making manifest things of the greatest importance. 
From hence I went to Oxford, (where now remain 
only four or five friends) and was at the meetings on 
first day. In the morning, sitting together in the 
usual meeting-house, the Lord renewed to us the 
happy experience of the fulfilling his promise, whilst 
in silence. That where two or three are gathered together 
in his name J there he is in the midst of them. But after 
some time a company of students came in, most of 
them full of levity, with vice and folly sitting on their 

* I Cor. XV. 29. 
^ brows ; 



1735 THOMAS STORY. 235 

brows ; they scoffed at the great truths of the gospel, 
especially when some proper texts of holy scripture 
were mentioned concerning the divine light and word 
of God, as if they meant to repel the force of truth by 
a flood of laughter. I had patience under all their 
foolish opposition, and ill manners ; and labouring in 
the virtue of truth, so overcame them, that they were 
generally quiet before I had done, and some of them 
sensibly touched with the invisible power of truth ; in 
the main it was a good meeting, and ended well. I 
never had any thing but good will to these misguided 
young creatures ; whose capacities might, under a pro- 
per direction and conduct, be improved to great service 
in the world, but being depraved by vicious pra£lices, 
all the good proposed by their education is frustrated. 
In the afternoon we sat so long silent, that we tired 
one set of them, who came first; but another sort 
coming, after the first were gone, I had many things 
to say to them «« concerning their learning, manners, 
catechism, vows and promises, creeds, and likewise of 
the martyrs from whom they pretended to derive their 
religion ; then I preached to them on the grace of 
God, and shev/ed, that if they were members of 
Christ, children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of 
heaven, by what had been done for them in their in- 
fancy, when altogether ignorant of good or evil, they 
were now in the state of fallen angels, by their own 
confession : for they have left undone those things 
which they ought to have done, and done those things 
which they ought not to have done, and are become 
miserable sinners, ^full of ^luotinds^ bruises^ and ptitri- 
fying sores J from the sole of the foot even unto the head. 
And certainly none in this state can enter the king- 
dom of God. I said, I had heard that the universi- 
ties of Oxford and Cambridge, are called the tw^o eyes 
of the nation ; it is therefore no wonder the inhabit- 

* Isaiah i. 6. 

ants. 



•336: LIFE OF 1735 

ants, depending on them, are so ignorant. Some of 
them were not easy under this ; yet truth being over 
them, they were kept down, so as net to oppose, 
otherwise than by laughter, more forced than natural ; 
at which times I usually reproving them, went on 
with what I had to say till finished ; and being helped 
to clear myself, I came away with satisfaftion." 

On the 6th I was at a meeting at North End ; and 
oil the tw^o following days at Henley and Amersham. 
On the 9th I was at Chesham, where, in the evening, 
after the meeting, I had conversation with a consider- 
able man in the world, inclinable to the French pro- 
phets ; by whom I perceived they expeft such a dis- 
pensation from God, as that all the gifts of the pri- 
mitive times should be restored, viz. working miracles, 
prophecy, healing the sick, raising the dead, &c, 
v/hereby their minds being carried off the present dis- 
pensaUon.^ they neg-eft that wh'ch should be regarded, 
(in looking for greater things jefore they are come to 
the lesser) as did the Jews ; v\^ho looking for the 
coming of the Messiah in another manner than he was 
promised, (that is, with outward and worldly power 
and splendor) despised him when he did come, and so 
missed of salvation by him. I declared many things 
to him, and the friends present, as at that time they 
were opened to me of the Lord ; and we parted in 
friendship. I went from hence by Jordans and Ux- 
brid^s^e to London, and in the latter end of the sixth 
month, to the yearly meeting for seven counties, held 
at Rugby, which was large : many of those called 
gentry, as well as people in lower stations, and like- 
wise several national priests, being there, the Lord 
honoured his name in the midst of them, from meet- 
ing to meeting, to him be the praise, who is alone 
worthy, now and for ever ! 

The meeting held three days, during which time 
the truths of the gospel in the authority and demon- 
stration of it, were set forth by our ministry beyond 

contradiction ; 



1735 THOMAS STORY. 837 

contradlftion; the people behaving with much sobriety 
and serious attention. I hope the understandings of 
many of them were opened, so as, in some degree, 
to perceive we had been formerly misrepresented ; and 
our principles hid, but now opened and cleared. At 
the conclusion of the last meeting, we gave away 
among the people, for their information and help, 
near a thousand books, all which were kind;y received : 
and, as love and unity abounded among friends, so 
we left the town and people In mutual love and good 
v/ill betv/een them and us, to the praise of the living 
Lord, who worketh m us the good will, and the deed, 
to his own glory ! 

In the 7th month I was at several mieetings in Ox- 
fordshire, as Banbury and Charlbury, and from thence 
proceeded till I came to Bristol, where I remained 
some time, attending the meeting with peace and sa- 
tisfaftion to myself and friends. One lirst day I had 
to expose the pernicious do£trine of transubstantia- 
tion ; " wherein the Papists say, that upon uttering 
the words of consecration by the priest, the bread or 
wafer, so consecrated, is immediately changed into 
the very body of Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, 
which suffered on the cross at Jerusalem \ that this 
wafer being now the true God and Christ, is to be 
worshipped as such. Thus the people are deceived, 
and led blindfold into idolatry, instead of v/orshipping 
Almighty God, through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, 
and true Saviour, sent into the world in the flesh, cru- 
cified, dead, and buried, ascended into heaven, and 
come from the Father a second time, as ha is the sdI- 
rit of truth, who leadeth into all truth, completing 
the salvation of all who believe in him, and follow 
and obey him." 

In another meeting, where several hireling teachers 
of different notions were present, and many other peo- 
ple, it became my concern to stand up with these 

F i words 



SS3 LIFE OF 1735 

words of the apostle, * The time ivUl coine^ when they 
m)ill not endure scund doctrine ; hut after their own lusts 
shall they heap to themselves teachers ^ having itching ears. 
And they shall turn away their ears from the truthy and 
be turned unto fables'^ 

I proceeded to observe, ^' That this prophecy is ful- 
filled in this and other nations at this day •, all the se- 
veral sefts adapting to themselves certain and various 
notions, principles, and systems of religion, make 
choice of such teachers, as will teach and propagate 
these notions, and no other ; at the same time rejeft- 
ing and d spising the free, perfect:, and effeftual 
teachings of the grace of God (which hath been pub- 
lickly and freely preached in this and some other coun- 
tries, now near a century, and is to this day) contrary 
to the kind and merciful invitation of the Almighty, 
where he saith by his prophet, f Hoy every one that 
th'rrstethy come ye to the waters ; and he that hath no mo^ 
ney^ come ye^ buy a7id eat : yeaj come buy wine and milk 
without mo?ieyy and without price. Wherefore do ye spend 
money for that which is not bread F and your labour for 
that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto mCy 
and eat \e that which is goody ajul let your soul delight it» 
self in fatness. Incline your eary and come unto me ; 
heary and your soul shall live ; afid I will make an ever'- 
lasting covenant with youy eve ft the sure mercies of Davids 
Bcholdy I have given him for a witness to the peoplcy a 
leader and commander to the people. It is to him, the 
Lord Jesus Christ alone, that we have ever direfted 
mankind, that they may be taught by his grace and 
Holy Spirit in their own hearts, and redeemed from 
all the hireling teachers in the world, of every notion 
and form : and this we have done freely, witliout any 
mercenary, low views to ourselves, but in that love to 
tlxe souls of all men, in which the Son of God laid 



aTim. iv. 3,4. f Isa. Iv. 1,2,3,4. 

down 



1736 THOMAS STORY. 339 

down his life for all manki d, tasting death for every 
man." 

On the 4th of 9th month I left Bristol, and, tak'.ig 
meetings in my way, came to London on the 2 3d. 
Here I remained several months, visiting the meetings, 
and assisting, as far as I could, in the solicitations to 
parliament for further ease concerning tithes. It fell 
to my lot, with some other friends, at the request of 
the meeting for sufferings, to speak with the Bishops 
oi Salisbury and Chichester, and five other bishops on 
he subjecl -, they generally gave up all pretensions to 
'iivine right of tithes, and insisted on the lav/s of the 
land only. After leaving London, I went northward ; 
and on tlie 25th of 6th month 1736, was at Leeds, 
^^ where the meeting is considerably large, and con- 
sists, for the greatest part^ of young people •, sober, 
but few of them have experienced the Lord's san6lify- 
ing baptism: which is much the state of our young 
people at this day throughout the world ; being in 
danger (as it has happened to others) of sitting down 
under the profession of trutli, in a traditional way, as 
to the doflrine and form of the discipline of it, and yet 
ignorant of the life, light, virtue, and power of truth, 
essentially in themselves j by which an apostacy from 
the very form may enter, and proceed gradually, till 
the whole be lost as to them, and some other thing 
take place, under tlie same name : which the Lord 
prevent, by his kind and merciful visitation, in his 
own time and way ; for nothing else can do it, or 
carry on that great and glorious work, Vvdiich his own 
arm hath begun in the earth, in and by his people.'^ 

I staid in these parts visiting meetings till the I7th 
of 9th month, when I went for London, and conti- 
nued there till the 4th month 1738 ; then I returned 
again into the north, visiting the meetings m many 
places to mutual comfort. In my way to York, be- 
ing accompanied by several friends, we came to Tad- 
caster, where falling in with ether friends from Leeds, 

and 



340 LIFE OF 1738 

and places adjacent, we all dined together at an inn •, 
and before we arose from the table, the divine truth 
tendered me very much, and reached the friends in 
general, surprizing us together with a merciful visita- 
tion of his kindness, as in our early times, and we were 
at this time as little children before him, satiated with 
the breast of living consolation in his presence, not to 
be forgotten, but sealed on every heart, to the praise 
of the God of mercy, and of our salvation. We were 
reduced to silence ! 

The quarterly meeting at York was very large, 
especially in times of worship, when many of other 
societies cam.e in, and generally behaved well. The 
Lord was with us, and things, both as to worship and 
discipline, were conduced in the meekness of his wis- 
dom, to his own glory, and the consolation of his peo- 
ple, vvithout schism, or jar. On the 4th of the 5th 
month, I went to a meeting appointed at Humby, 
from thence to Thornton, Malton, and Pickering. Li 
this meeting there was something hard to be wrought 
through, from a spirit of heaviness and carelessness, 
yet the power of the Lord was manifested, and the 
brightness of his presence prevailed over death and 
darkness, and the rigliteous rejoiced before him, in a 
sense of his never-failing goodness ! After this I was 
at Scarborough attending the meetings, which were at 
times large and comfortable, oqe meeting in particular 
was very open, friends being generally tendered by 
the influence of divine love, the sweetness whereof 
seasoned our conversation afterwards. In another 
meeting, in which strangers were present, the spring 
of the gospel increased, so that sever .1 important truths 
thereof opened in the demonstration of wisdom and 
power, to the satisfaftion of many, and glory of the 
Creator an^l Upholder of all things. Great is the 
truth, and it shall prevail. I continued some time in 
these parts, and was again at the quarterly meeting at 
York, the business whereof was conducted in the 

peaceable 



1738 THOMAS STORY. 3^1 

peaceable wisdom of the Son of God : many great and 
important truths were delivered in the meetings by 
several brethren in the demonstration and authority of 
the Holy Spirit. " Here a person took down some of 
my testimonies in short-hand, as he had done at some 
other times, which is seldom truly done '•, for though 
the form of speech may be, by tliis means, and help 
of the memory of the writer nearly recovered, yet the 
missing, or altering of a word in some sentences, m.ay 
greatly alter and Vv^rong the sense ^ and it is certain, 
that no letters, words, or speech, can represent the 
divine virtue, power and energy, in which the doc- 
trines of the truth are delivered by those who are sent 
of God : for they speak Vv^ith Vv^isdom and authority in 
and from him, and not as the hirelings of this world, 
whose speeches are often artful and deceivable; where- 
by they ensnare the people, rule over them, and make 
a trade or gain of them to themselves, and live in the 
pomp and grandeur of the world, though they promise 
and vow to renounce them, and make the people do 
so likewise. Yet they break those promises not only 
once, but repeatedly to the end of their days, if their 
daily confessions be true.. 

<^ Nevertheless, where testimonies are truly set 
down in waiting, so far as they are sound, Vvdth respect 
to faith in God and Christ the Lord, or any other point 
of doctrine, they may be of use to help forward the 
work of the Lord, in the redem^ption and salvation of 
mankind."^ 

The meeting ended in peace, and divers departed 
the city the same evening with satisfa£iion and corn« 
fort : yet as pillars in the house of God, it is hoped 
they will depart no more therefrom, but remain for 
ever ! but I having no certain dwelling place on earth, 
(though there is something therein I call mine, which 
I have power over while in this body) and not in haste 
to leave the city, I staid to attend the service of the 
Lord in the next first day meetings, in which we were 
r f 2 favoured 



342 LIFE OF 1740 

favoured with the divine presence^ and many import- 
ant truths were delivered. 

On the 5th of the 8th month I was at the monthly- 
meeting at Warnsworth, where a case happened which 
admitted of some different ways of thinking; yet friends 
condescending one to another, and the testimony of 
truth going forth against all partiality of judgment, 
and all sides and parties on any account whatever, 
(there being no side or party, save truth and error 
only) things were carried on and finished in the peace- 
able wisdom of truth to satisfaftion and comfort. 

From hence I went to Woodhouse, and Sheffield, 
and made a visit to my long acquainted friend. Sir 
John Rhodes, a man of truth and understanding •, who 
neglecting all the honour of the v/orld, h?d lived but 
too reclubely, by which the brightness of his talents 
have not been made so conspicuous as otherv/ise they 
might. On the 16th I went to Nottingham., and after 
that took meetings in my way to London, where I 
came on the 29th, the Lord's power and goodness 
having eminently attended to the comfort and edifica- 
tion of many where my lot was cast. I staid in Lon- 
don till the 17th of the 4th month, 1739, and then 
went to the quarterly meeting at York, which was 
large and comfortable. After this I was at a yearly 
meeting for worship at Eingley, in v/hich the truths 
of the gospel were largely opened to the people, and 
no publick minister there besides myself; I was nmch 
spent as to my natural strength, and nov/ of great age. 
But the Lord being pleased to renew the strength of 
my rn nd through his goodness, I was soon recovered. 
On the ^th of the 5th month, I went to the quarterly 
meetl' g it Kendal, v/hich was conducted in the peace- 
able V. s om of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; 
through Vv^hom, to the father of all our mercies, be 
dominie n and glory, now and for ever ! 

After having attended some other meetings in these 
parts, and liiished what was incumbent on me in the 

country 



1740 THOMAS STORY. 243^ 

eouutry at this time, I set forward for London on the 
15th of 6th month, in company with John Vfilson of 
Kendal, a true friend of mine in the truth, and of great 
service in and to the society of friends in general, both 
in the country, and in the yearly meetings at London. 

I came to London on the 28th of the 7th month, 
where I remained, attending the meetings t'll the 26th 
of the 2d month, 1740, and then returned into the 
north. Soon after my arrival at Carlisle, the monthly 
meeting cam.e on, w^here truth prevailed in the pov/er 
and virtue of it, to the stirring up of the idle and care- 
less among us, and just reproof of such w^ho busy 
themselves in other men's m.atters^ neglecting w^hat is 
properly their ov/n j contrivers of false accusations, 
and evils against others. Upon which I had to speak- 
something after this manner. 

" x4lS to the fruits and consequences of evil surmi- 
sings, and the pernicious effects of it to Christian 
consolation, society, and love : this being an evil work, 
and child of the darkness of this v/orld^, it is conceived 
in darkness, in darkness it is brought forth, and in 
darkness it wandereth about from house to house, 
place to place, till many are corrupted thereby, so as 
to entertain evil thoughts, and form false sentiments 
of others, of whom they never sav/ or heard evil in all 
the time of their acquaintance, and frequent conversa- 
tion with them : it may be easily conceived, that if any 
entertain thoughts of another, as if guilty of any par- 
ticular evil, such cannot have real unity with one,, 
whom he so apprehends to be guilty. For though 
false, it hath the same consequences, in that re- 
spe£t, as if true ; and the evil-surmiser. by this means, 
becoming shy, and averse to the person censured, it 
hath the same effect on him likewise; so that there is 
no unity in the ground between them, nor truth or 
sincerity, but they become hypocrites one to another^ 
And this secret evil hath done more hurt to Christian 
society in general^ and to us as a people in a pariicu- 

lar 



344 LIFE OF 1740 

lar manner, than the open shis which some have fal- 
len into : for open evil is seen of all, and judged and 
condemned of all persons, of every denomination; 
therefore the failings of particulars are no v^^ays justly 
imputable to generals ; but secret evils reign and rage 
in the dark, as if with toleration *, and yet such is the 
commiOn consent, and joint sentiment of mankind,^ 
that to be convifted of a lie, or called a liar, false ac- 
cuser, or calumniator, is highly offensive to all/' 

Thus friends were exhorted to beware of these great 
evils, and to do, or say, nothing inconsistent with 
true Christian love (vvhich is the law of divine and 
endless life in all the faithful and obedient) and in their 
conversation and dealings one with another, and with 
all men, to take the counsel of the apostle. Let love be 
^without dtsshnuIatio7i ; love ?ioi /;; *u>Qrdy nor in tongue 
only^ but in deed and in truth. 

I was at some other meetings in these parts, as^ 
Scotby, the Moorhouse, the Border, and Wigton •, in 
all which the truth triumphed gloriously, especially in 
the last mentioned meeting, to which many strangers 
of the town came, whom friends had invited. I was 
likewise in the country occasionally ; for as the estate, 
which had been my father's inheritance, was provi- 
dentally fallen into miy hands, and the small buildings 
much decayed, I thought it not equal to receive rents 
for the premises without proper habitaions for the ten- 
ants, and therefore was willing to repair them, and 
ere£l others v/here necessary : in order to m.ake pre- 
paration for such a work, I staid till the 15th of the 
6th month, when 1 went to Kendal, and was at their 
meetings on the first day of the week : the meeting in 
the forenoon was very open and comfortable, the 
Lord blessing us with a gcod degree of his presence i 
but, that we might sensibly experience, that in the 
Lord alone are all our frt sh springs, as from an ocean 
of all fulness ; and that we must not depend on what 
has been, but on that which is present^ in humble sub- 
mission 



1740 THOMAS STORY. 3^5 

mission tohis will and time: the meeting was heavy and 
lifeless a long time in the afternoon, yet the Lord shew- 
ed mercy towards the end, and that wholesome ex- 
hortation of the apostle was brought to my remem- 
brance, in some degree of the same life in which it 
was wrote. * ^< / beseech yon brethren^ that you present 
your bodies a living sacrifice^ holy^ acceptable unto Gody 
ivhich is your reasonable service. The body being of the 
earth, is of itself dead, and unaftive j but as it is in 
vital union with the mind, (which is of a different na- 
ture) it is moved thereby, in things within its reach, 
and yet can a£l nothing acceptable unto God, but as 
quickened and strengthened by the influence of the 
Holy Spirit of Christ, the mediator in all acls of 
worship •, and therefore we must wait for him at all 
times, in passive silence of mind, to be rightlv fitted 
under an excercise of faith and hope towards God ; 
and the Lord appeareth in his own time, when the 
creature seeth its want, and that there is no help but 
in the Lord alone ; then he arisetli as the brightness 
of the morning, and thereby disperseth the fogs of the 
night. And since the last enemy that is to be destroy- 
ed is death ; how is it likely that enemy should be over- 
come by such, who, in times of worship are overcome^ 
from time to time, by his image ? I speak as unto v/ise 
men, judge ye what I say, and be sincere, and vig- 
ilant, that the Lord may bless yoti in all your meet- 
ings with his living presence, and preserve you all a- 
live unto himself, to his glory !' On the 18th I went 
forward to Settle, and after took some meetings in my 
way to London, where I came on the 1st of the 7th 
monthe 

P. S. The author- s account breaks ofFhere, which 
seems an abrupt period ; and as the editors have not 
been able to discover any further prosecution of the 
work among his papers, they apprehend it may not be 

' ' amiss. 

* Rom. xii. i. 



[ 346 ] 

amiss to add, ^^ that he continued in London some 
part of the ensuing winter, where he was seized with 
a paralytick disorder, which afie£ted him to such a de- 
gree, as deprived him very much of his speech, and 
confined him within doors till the return of the spring, 
when he regained a little strength, and got out to 
meetings j but was not so far recovered, as to be a- 
ble to hold a discourse long, his memory being also 
greatly impaired by the disorder: nevertheless he con- 
tinued sv/eet in spirit, and chearful among liis friends, 
whom he was alvv-ays glad to see, and be in company 
with : he likewise diligently attendetl the yearly meet- 
ing at London, 1741, though he spoke not much in 
it. Before the end of the summer he was so much 
better, as that he travelled down to Carlisle, to look 
after his affairs in the north, which required his at- 
tendance ; for having a design to build a house at 
Justice Town, he provided materials, and frequently 
overlooked the v/orkmen : indeed his health and facul- 
ties v/ere so vreW restored, as that he many times ap- 
peared in publick in the meetings, greatly to the satis- 
f ;C>ion of friends. Thus he continued without much 
alteration till the 23d of the 4th month, 1742, when, 
in the evening he suffered a new attack of his disorder, 
which seized him with great violence, and the next 
morning between two and three o'clock, he departed 
this life, in perfeil peace, (there is great reason to be- 
lieve) with God and mandkind: two days after his 
corpse was interred in the burial ground at Carlisle, be- 
ing attended by a great number of friends from several 
parts of the country, and also by divers people in the 
neii hbcurhood, who seemed deeply affefted with the 
loss of a man, so valuable and useful to his country, 
ia several stations of life.^ 



FINIS. 

3?f77-7 



LATELY PUBLISHED 



JOSEPH CRUKSHANK, 

THE 

LIFE OF LADY GUION, 

WRITTEN BY HERSELF. 

Exhibiting Her Eminent Piety, Charity, Meekness^ 
Resignation, Fortitude and Stability ; her Labours^ 
Travels, Sufferings and Services for the Conver- 
sion of Souls to God ; and her great Success, in 
some Places, in that best of ail Employments on 
the Earth. 

The reader will view, in the course of this trans- 
lation, the progress of a holy pilgrim, not fiftitious 
but real ; a life of no common sort : from its birth up- 
wards attended with remarkable events, assaulted with 
troubles and inured to oppositions ; a soul filled with 
the love of God ; from him deriving, and instrument- 
ally diffusing a happiness undefiled, incorruptible, un- 
hurt by storms, and growing firmer in persecutions ; 
ensuring on high its everlasting duration, in a state of 
boundless perfection and purity* 



i 



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